A 30-Year Journey From Skepticism to Acceptance: Reconsidering the Authenticity of Assisted Communication of Nonspeakers

• By: Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP College of Health Sciences, University of Rhode Island
• July 9th, 2026
• assisted communication, autism research, communication supports, facilitated communication, motor planning challenges, neurodiversity, nonspeaking autism, spelling to communicate, Summer 2026 Issue
• 134    0

My introduction to assisted communication (AC) for nonspeaking and minimally speaking individuals was in reference to facilitated communication (FC). During July of 1991 at the Autism Society of America's annual conference, I was asked to participate on a panel that was hastily organized to have an...

Rethinking Evidence-Based Practice for Supporting Nonspeaking Individuals

• By: Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP College of Health Sciences, University of Rhode Island Jessica Teixeira, MS, CCC-SLP Play Haven Pediatric Therapy
• July 9th, 2026
• assistive communication, autism research, clinical expertise, communication supports, evidence-based practice, nonspeaking individuals, speech-language pathology, Summer 2026 Issue
• 72    0

In considering the issue of evidence-based practice (EBP), we take on a deceptively simple question—what counts as "evidence" of effectiveness of approaches in supporting the communication of nonspeaking autistic individuals? Beneath that question lies a deeper and more contentious issue—how...

“Reflecting on the Journey” – A Retreat for Parents of Autistic Family Members

• By: Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP Childhood Communication Services, University of Rhode Island Elaine C. Meyer, PhD, RN Harvard Medical School Barbara Domingue, MEd Community Autism Resources
• October 2nd, 2023
• caregivers, community building, emotional support, Fall 2023 Issue, family support, fun, improved relationships, parenting challenges, parents, reflection, respite, rest, retreat, self-care, social support networking, stress management, stress relief
• 4034    2

This past year marked the 25th anniversary year of our annual weekend retreat for parents of young and adult autistic individuals. This innovative family support activity has become a highlight of the year for us, and for many of the approximately 60 parents of autistic family members who join us...

The Importance of Thinking Developmentally in Educational Approaches

• By: Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP Brown University
• April 1st, 2022
• ABA, applied behavior analysis, behavioral interventions, development, developmental thinking, education, research, Spring 2022 Issue
• 6221    1

Educational approaches for autistic students are often categorized as either developmental or behavioral. (Prizant & Wetherby, 2005). Behavioral approaches utilize practices based on applied behavior analysis (ABA), and are used to change behavior: that is, to increase desirable behavior and...

Guidelines for a More Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice for Autism

• By: Rebecca Rosenzweig Autistic Self-Advocate Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP Brown University
• April 1st, 2022
• ABA, actually autistic, anxiety, communication, dysregulation, echolalia, eye contact, language, neurodiversity, research, sensory-processing differences, Spring 2022 Issue, stimming, training
• 13640    0

This article came out of discussions between the authors about guidelines for a more neurodiversity-affirming practice for autism. The training that is discussed in this article was developed by the first author (Rebecca Rosenzweig). Authors’ note: As an autistic person working in a...