A. Communication InterventionsContents:See also:1. Speech TherapySpeech therapy can assist a patient with chewing, sucking and swallowing difficulties (common in children with all kinds of neurological impairment or developmental delay) and of course, in the development of speech and communication. However, it is often true to say that the problem with many non-verbal autistic children is that they choose not to talk because they see no benefit in talking (since they lack social awareness). Without this basic desire to communicate, no speech therapy can really work. Consequently, work often centers around persuading the child that his needs are more easily met if he can communicate them. PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) is one frequently used in autistic children to such an end, and in UK, a special, simplified sign language called Makaton is often used. It is hoped that as the child realises the benefits to communication, they will soon learn to talk, rather than relying on pictures or sign language. A universal problem all round the world seems to be that speech therapy services are inadequate, with children receiving far too little and too long after diagnosis of speech and communication delay. Since it is believed that there is a "window" of time during which a child learns most language, such delays are even more untenable. Thus, most parents on the group fight to get adequate speech therapy support, and end up having to do an awful lot of it themselves. 2. Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)[By Kalen (AC)] PECS was developed 12 years ago by Andrew S. Bondy and Lori Frost at the Delaware Autistic Program as an alternative communication for autistic children. The system has achieved world-wide recognition for its focus on the initiation component of communication. PECS is now used with people of all ages spanning a wide variety of communicative disorders. The basic principle of how the system works is easily understood and highly adaptable. The cards used have a simple line drawing of an object, idea or action, with the meaning or word printed on the card. The child is taught to approach another person and exchange a picture symbol for an item. Initially, the pictures are simply exchanged for a particular item. Later, by using a series of pictures, the child can form "sentence strips" to make requests or comments in order to communicate more complex needs and ideas. The Picture Exchange Communication System Training Manual
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