Once communication deficits and speech patterns have been identified in a student with ASD, selecting appropriate support strategies and assistive/augmentative technologies and ensuring

Once communication deficits and speech patterns have been identified in a student with ASD, selecting appropriate support strategies and assistive/augmentative technologies and ensuring that all teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff are trained to properly implement each is of primary importance. Through proper use of strategies and technologies, communication barriers and challenges can potentially be lessened and can enhance student achievement and quality of life. As an autism specialist, teaching others about how to correctly enact strategies and use technology is an important responsibility.

Conduct research about intervention strategies that are commonly used to address communication deficits and challenges in students with ASD. Additionally, research assistive/augmentative technologies that can also be used to support students with ASD in addressing communication challenges. Using a bookmarking, notetaking, or organizational tool such as Evernote, Padlet, etc., create a digital reference guide that you could share with general education teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff.  In the guide, you will present common strategies and assistive/augmentative technologies that can be used to support students with ASD. The reference guide should include a minimum of five entries for each of the following sections:

• Communication Strategies and Systems
• AAC devices

For each entry, specify the following:

• Name of the strategy, system, or device, including whether it is high-tech or low-tech, and a link to a resource associated with each strategy/system/device
• Explanation of how the strategy, system, or device supports students with ASD, including a scenario of when each would be an appropriate selection to address a specified deficit or challenge for a student with ASD
• Description of the steps for proper implementation of the strategy, system, or device
• Explanation about how to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy, system, or device implementation with a given student in aiding comprehension or engagement