-
Breaking the Silence: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for Autistic Children
Imagine your child has thoughts, feelings, and ideas but struggles to say them out loud. For many parents of children on the autism spectrum, this is a daily experience. This is where Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) can help. What is AAC? Augmentative and Alternative...
-
How Digital Health Ecosystems Are Shaping the Future of I/DD Support
The disability service sector finds itself at a crossroads. The current federal administration is working with Congress to reduce the size of government and overall spending levels. It is likely that this will affect Medicaid Long Term Service and Supports in many states, creating concern within...
-
Increasing Autism Awareness and Reducing the Stigma of Autism in China
Autism Awareness Month, mandated by the United Nations (UN), provides an opportunity for scholars, community service providers, and the broader public to come together to increase community knowledge of autism. These events may help to reduce the stigma that surrounds this complex...
-
SMART Homes, Meaningful Lives: Incorporating Wellbeing Practices into Independent Living Supports
James moved into his own apartment in January of 2024. He liked his independence but didn't have much to say when his support staff spoke with him during their daily video check-in. He was “fine.” His day went “okay.” And, he had nothing to report for wants and needs. James was languishing...
-
How Cybersecurity and Technology Jobs Can Equal Success for Autistic Individuals
Technology has become the backbone of modern society, offering exciting career opportunities for individuals from all walks of life. For autistic individuals, the tech industry presents unique advantages that align with their skills and preferences, creating pathways for meaningful and fulfilling...
-
Cooking Up Communication: A Recipe for Using AI to Support Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) with Modeling Scripts
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) plays an important role in empowering individuals with autism and other complex communication needs to engage meaningfully in their communities. Essential to AAC adoption is the evidence-based practice of modeling, wherein communication partners...
-
Nina: A Nonspeaker Who Found Her Voice
Key Points Access to communication is a fundamental human right. Misconceptions about nonspeaking autism can be harmful. Spelling to communicate (S2C) can be a powerful tool for nonspeaking autistic people. Neurotypicals should presume competence and become helpful...
-
Empowering Families Online: Reducing Barriers through a Virtual, Group ESDM-based Caregiver Coaching Program
Autistic children often experience difficulties with language and communication development (Tager-Flushberg et al., 2005). Early intervention (EI) is an integral and highly efficacious tool to target and promote optimal development in this population (Zwaigenbaum et al., 2015). By targeting...
-
How to Best Determine if an Autistic Individual is Using an Effective Communication System
Clear and effective communication is one of the most significant challenges autistic individuals encounter. As with many other characteristics of autism, the communication abilities of autistic individuals present across a wide spectrum. While many individuals understand and use spoken language,...
-
Artificial Intelligence in Education: Benefits and Risks for Neurodivergent Students
Artificial Intelligence (AI), seemingly all of a sudden, has permeated our world. New advances in technologies have the potential to assist students inside and outside the classroom and increase the potential for independence and success. AI can be used by educators to support students. It can be...
