#3 Using an Augmentative Communication System to Teach Functional Communication to the Non-Vocal Children

Many programs focus on teaching receptive language skills to non-vocal children. Although there has been some success in teaching these skills, the development of functional communication repertoires in children with autism has been disappointing. This workshop will demonstrate how incorporating B. F. Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior, manipulating motivation, and implementing an augmentative system helps to promote the development of functional communication and leads to the development of vocalizations for some children. Specifically, parents & caregivers will be given the following:

• Criteria for determining if a child would benefit from an augmentative communication system
• Guidelines for selecting initial “mand” targets
• Manipulating motivation to create more opportunities for functional communication
• Teaching procedures that transfer form (motor imitation/manual signs) to function (requests/mands)
• Expanding language repertoires in the natural environment by chaining together mand opportunities

Course Description Date Location #3 Using an Augmentative Communication System to Teach Functional Communication to the Non-Vocal Children 3/21/2011 - FREE WORKSHOP for Parents and Professionals Cosponsored by Saddle Brook Schools and South Bergen Jointure Commission Saddle Brook High School 355 Mayhill Street Saddle Brook, NJ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm TBA