What challenges do children with autism face concerning expressive language?

Language processing issues are major component of educating children with autism. The way a child process a language strongly determines the way that child learns. The two major types of language delays are receptive (comprehension of input) and expressive (the use of words to express thoughts). Usually expressive language is affected more than receptive among children with ASD. This means that some students autistic spectrum disorders may understand the language presented to them better than they are able to produce language. Those students who can communicate may still have trouble beginning and maintaining conversation.

What are some teaching strategies to help with these challenges?

• Use visual support.
• Use cue cards
• Offer choices.
• Teach how to ask for more information.
• When needed, teach students to say “I don’t know.”

Resrources:

http://www.autismmind.com/Brain_Speech_srk/Language_First_cnk/

http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/expressive-language-ideas/

http://www.speechlanguagefeeding.com/autism-affects-speech-language-eating/

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/build-expressive-language-autistic-children-13712.html

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/communication-problems-in-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorder.aspx

http://casd.binghamton.edu/node/16

http://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/sctk_supporting_learning.pdf