Social & Language Skills
09th December from 11:15 to 12:45
Children with autism demonstrate significant deficits across all areas of speech, language and communication. One consistent area includes deficits in joint attention early in development. These deficits often remain persistent throughout development. Deficits in referential looking, declarative pointing as well as failure to respond to name and other social cues are common in early development.
It has been well documented that joint attention plays a critical role in the development of language and social skills. Even after the acquisition of speech, many children continue to demonstrate limited spontaneous initiations. The use of speech and language for social purposes is even more restricted. Children with autism rarely ask questions or comment to others. This workshop will provide an overview of early language development in individuals with ASD and the impact on the development of social skills and social language. In addition, strategies to promote initiations and expand social language will be presented.