Evidence-based treatments in communication for children with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

This chapter considers treatments that aim to enhance the ability of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to communicate and use language. Since disorders of communication constitute one of the core symptom areas in ASD and represent an aspect of function in which all children on this spectrum experience significant disability, virtually every child on the autism spectrum will require some form of communicative intervention. Moreover, communication is vital for learning and establishing connections with others, so that deficits in communication skill not only characterize the syndrome, but set limits on opportunities for play, socialization, academic achievement, and integration. Thus, interventions aimed at improving communication in ASD are crucial to success both in school programs and functional, real-world adaptation. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.