Multimodal Behaviors in Autism Spectrum: Insights From Typical Development Inform AAC

Abstract

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who have limited natural speech may communicate using unaided and/or aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and may combine potentially communicative behaviors in multimodal ways. Unaided AAC refers to the use of an alternative and augmentative system of communication that does not require aids external to the communicator's body. Aided AAC relies on the use of aids external to the body, such as pictures or a speech-generating device (SGD). Potential communicative acts refer to any behavior that others interpret as meaningful, including informal (unconventional) behaviors, such as body or hand movement, as well as a few words or (conventional) symbols, such as pointing to pictures. Foundational skills, such as communicative gesture and joint attention, can inform multimodal AAC practices in young children with or at risk for ASD. A data tracker of motor hand, oral-motor/vocal/verbal behaviors, and AAC is provided based on past research in children with or at risk for ASD. The data tracker highlights behaviors ranging from informal to conventional communication forms that may be produced in multimodal ways.