The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

The development of linguistic, operational, social and strategic goals in planning for communication success can be challenging. Our focus must be on the overall goal: the communicator's right to be able to say whatever they want, whenever they want, to whomever they want. Perhaps this seems unrealistic; however, Light suggests that communicative competence “does not imply total mastery of the art of communication, but rather an adequate level of communication skills to function within the environment” (1989). Once we realize that competent communication does not always equal independent communication, it becomes imperative that we review our assessment and intervention goals.

Are we addressing comprehensive communication goals for our students with autism? Do our goals address a system that will meet not only those immediate communication needs, but allows for the potential growth and variation in communication skills and strategies and the shifting demands of the environment (Nelson, 1992)? Assessment and intervention goals for augmentative communication should reflect this dynamic journey.  Comprehensive goals should promote success within the current level (today) with ongoing assessment to address the (tomorrow) skills required for communication growth across competencies. The process is unending until the individual is able to communicate in a variety of environments, with ease, in real time and effectively using the most advanced communication skills that they are capable of mastering.

Agenda:

- Introduction and overview of session/points to be addressed in case studies

- Review of Light’s definition of communicative competence

- Review of AAC goals grid

- Case Study #1

- Case Study #2

- Case Study #3

- Summary and questions

This session will use video case studies to demonstrate specific intervention in a variety of goals and the communication success of a variety of individuals with autism using AAC. Users will cover a broad range of ages and communication ability levels. Identifying appropriate goals for communication will be addressed using tools that will allow attendees to isolate the most functional goals as well as follow a continuum for future growth.