Speech Act of "Touch" Therapy in the Intervention Service Foundation For Autism and Developmental Delay (YISADDI) in the Method of Traffic Light Games

Abstract

An autistic is a child of his own world. They experience interference in verbal and nonverbal language. Therapy given to children with autism is one of the right treatments to help them understand the right language and behavior. This study aims to describe the form and function of speech acts, speech action strategies, speech act selection, and achievement of therapist's "tactile" speech acts in clinical interventions for autistic children using the red light, green light play method. This study uses a qualitative approach with a clinical pragmatic approach. The results of the study are as follows. First, the clinical intervention therapist for children with autism uses a simple type of directive action and consists of one word, namely commanding speech, inviting / encouraging, rejecting / prohibiting, asking, and agreeing as well as expressive speech acts, namely expressions of praise and gratitude. Second, the therapist's language action strategy is a direct speech strategy by calling, giving instructions, and using visuals or models. Third, the therapy chooses speech acts using the S.P.E.A.K.I.N.G component with the help of PEC or compic media for effective communication. Fourth, therapists use speech acts that are accompanied by facial expressions, intonations, pats on the child's body so that children with autism are more focused and understand the purpose of communication.