Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

09:13
Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Interventions to improve communication in autism.
1Yale Child Study Center, 40 Temple Street #68, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. rhea.paul@yale.edu
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|September 9, 2008
Summary
Early autism intervention improves communication. Combining structured methods with peer interactions enhances skill generalization for children with autism spectrum disorder.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) require early intervention to improve communication.
- Structured behavioral methods are effective for initial language development in children with ASD.
- Limitations exist in skill maintenance and generalization with solely structured approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the benefits of intensive, early intervention for children with autism.
- To explore methods for enhancing communicative acts in frequency, form, and function.
- To investigate strategies for improving skill generalization and maintenance.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing highly structured behavioral methods to elicit early language.
- Supplementing structured methods with less adult-directed activities.
- Facilitating mediated peer interactions in naturalistic settings.
Main Results:
- Structured behavioral methods positively impact eliciting first words.
- Less adult-directed activities aid in communicative initiation.
- Peer-mediated interventions improve skill carry-over to new settings and partners.
Conclusions:
- Intensive early intervention is crucial for children with autism.
- A combination of structured and less-directed approaches optimizes communication development.
- Peer-mediated interventions are vital for generalization and maintenance of learned skills.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Therapeutic Communication
Communication is a lifelong learning process. Through therapeutic communication, nurses can collect relevant assessment data, provide education and counseling, and interact during nursing interventions. Sending and receiving messages occur through verbal and nonverbal communication techniques and can happen separately or simultaneously.
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
Techniques of Therapeutic Communication II: Focusing, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
Focusing involves centering a conversation on a message's critical elements or concepts. Focusing is valuable if the talk is vague or patients begin to repeat themselves. Sometimes, when patients are asked about their symptoms, they may go off-topic and try to tell their entire life story. Respectfully, the nurse should bring the conversation back into focus.
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
Barriers to Effective Communication I
A communication barrier is any distortion or interruption during a conversation, resulting in miscommunication of the message. A good communicator should know these barriers and continuously check for the listener's understanding by obtaining feedback.
Communication barriers include the following:
Physiological barriers: They are limitations caused by a person's health condition or disability, such as hearing loss, poor eyesight, illness, or unconsciousness. An example to overcome this barrier...
Communication barriers include the following:
Physiological barriers: They are limitations caused by a person's health condition or disability, such as hearing loss, poor eyesight, illness, or unconsciousness. An example to overcome this barrier...
Barriers to Effective Communication II
The barriers to effective communication also include cultural barriers, semantic barriers, gender barriers, and time constraints.
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Modeling in Therapy
Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.

