Communication possibilities with autism. Where is the research?

Autism and Technology

I want to share an article I read, Study Nonverbal Autism Must Go Beyond Words, Experts Say (Deweerdt, 2013). 

“About 25% of those living with autism are non verbal and still little research has focused on this subgroup. This has stemmed from a lack of what defines non-verbal. Is it the inability to speak completely or is it a combination of a few words. Does a person using sign language or augmented speaking device count as verbal? Research and clinicians have not totally defined what nonverbal is.”

I do consider my twin sons as nonverbal since both do not speak, but do communicate via some signs, gestures, and augmented speaking device. iPads and iPods (Shout Out to Apple and Steve Jobs) have proven to be the most versatile device for speech in our Family. 

After the boys had proven they could speak using the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), we were able to try augmentative speaking devices. Both boys were successful at picking up on how to use the devices to make requests (manding) so we decided to request a speaking device through our health insurance. 

Augmentative speaking devices have to be on a dedicated mode for insurance to pay for them. What this means is the device can only be used for speech and cannot be used for any other apps or educational purpose. In 2005, we went through the process to justify our needs and had acquired two devices ($3,500 each). As with any technology, it wears out or becomes obsolete and new technologies arises to take its place.  In 2009, it was time to go through the process, again, to acquire two new devices, which we hoped insurance would cover. This time the devices would cost the insurance company ($8,000 each). We could NOT understand why it cost so much for the device since it was common like an iPad at the time. We came to learn that the suppliers were matching the max Medicaid would pay for augmentative speaking devices. For both boys that would be $16,000 and we felt very uncomfortable with that scenario. After doing some research, we opted to get an iPod ($200) with a speech application($100). We owned the device and the boys could download many other apps like YouTube and maximize the use of the device. 

“ ‘There are a lot of people out there who don’t want to use some sort of augmentative system, because they think the kid won’t talk,’ Kasari says.

But in fact, the opposite may be the case. Kasari has unpublished data showing that minimally verbal children who also used a speech-generating device early in therapy have more socially communicative utterances after six months than those who get the device later. It’s not clear why, but ‘it seems to augment their own ability to talk,’ Kasari says.

Still, little is known about how to match minimally verbal children with the best therapies to encourage them to develop spoken language. ‘We have no idea which kids are going to respond to which interventions,’ McCleery says. ‘The more information we can gather on that, the better.’”

Everyone whom does not speak needs access to some form of communication (sign language, augmentative device, etc.).  We all work and play in environments that require communication to survive and thrive. The better forms and avenues of communication the less stress and better quality of life is provided for those that are nonverbal and their families. 

Reference:

Deweerdt, S. (2013).  Study Nonverbal Autism Must Go Beyond Words, Experts Say. https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/study-of-nonverbal-autism-must-go-beyond-words-experts-say

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