Treating Severe Treating Severe Articulation Problems in Articulation Problems in

Children with AutismChildren with AutismPresented ByPresented By

Tracy Vail,MS,CCC/SLPTracy Vail,MS,CCC/SLP

Why Can’t He/She Talk?Why Can’t He/She Talk?

• Impossible to tell until the child talks!

• Does the child “hear” sounds/words?

• Does the child have adequate musculature?

• Can the child produce required movements?

• Can the child combine required movements?

Increasing VocalizationsIncreasing Vocalizations

• Pair with established reinforcers

• Reinforce all vocal attempts

Initial Sound/Vocal AttemptsInitial Sound/Vocal Attempts

Vocal ApproximationsVocal Approximations

Give a Communicative BehaviorGive a Communicative Behavior

• Teach “I talk, I get.”

• Increases EO for Speaking

• Increases child’s control over environment

• Decreases need for negative behaviors

Sign LanguageSign Language

Picture Exchange Communication Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)System (PECS)

Pairing Signs with VocalsPairing Signs with Vocals

Teaching Signs to ClarifyTeaching Signs to Clarify

Passive Oral MotorPassive Oral Motor

Active Oral MotorActive Oral Motor

Finger Prompts/Sound SongFinger Prompts/Sound Song

Combining SoundsCombining Sounds

Shaping Vocal MandsShaping Vocal Mands

Fade PromptsFade Prompts

Receptive, NVI mixed with MandsReceptive, NVI mixed with Mands

Teach Receptive &Tact from Mand Teach Receptive &Tact from Mand RepertoireRepertoire

Build SyllablesBuild Syllables

Fill in Songs Fill in Songs

Fill ins/Mands with StoriesFill ins/Mands with Stories

VB ModulesVB Modules

Increasing Length of UtteranceIncreasing Length of Utterance

Fade Prompts for IV CategoryFade Prompts for IV Category

Teach Features Functions ClassesTeach Features Functions Classes

Mands for InfoMands for Info

Multiple NET OpportunitiesMultiple NET Opportunities