The Basics of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Training Series

RAAC Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Task Force

Adult Training Series Modules

Module One: Autism Defined, Autism Prevalence and Primary Characteristics

Module Two: Physical Characteristics of Autism

Module Three: Cognition and Learning in Autism

Module Four: Autism and Sensory Differences

Module Five: Communication and AutismModule Five: Communication and Autism

Adult Training Series Modules

Module Six: Behavior Challenges and Autism

Module Seven: Understanding Behavior in Persons with Autism

Module Eight: Functional Behavior Assessment

Module Nine: Autism and Leisure Skills to Teach

Module Ten: Special Issues of Adolescence and Adulthood

Module Eleven: Safety and Autism

Big Idea

Communication may be very difficult for someone with ASD.

Communication

Some people with ASD do not talkThey may use sign language to communicate.They may use pictures to communicate.They may use a device that talks for them.

Some people with ASD talk but are hard to understand.They may get upset if you don’t understand

them.

Communication

Some folks with ASD may repeat what you say.If you say, “do you want juice,” they may

repeat what you said. This is called Echolalia.

This may be their way of saying yes.It might mean that they did not understand

what you said.It may happen more often when the person

is nervous or upset.

Communication Some people with ASD have a hard time

making choices.Some people say “yes” to almost every

choice you give them, even if they don’t want it.

Some people say “no” to almost every choice you give them, even if they want it.

Some people almost always choose the last thing you said to them. For example: if you say, “do you want crackers or cookies,” they may say “cookies” even when they want crackers.

Big Idea

For people who have difficulty making choices, we need to help them by showing them pictures,

drawings, logos or the actual items.

Communication

Just because the person can say something, it doesn’t always mean they understand what they are saying.

Just because the person with ASD has done something before, doesn’t mean that they will be able to understand what is going to happen the next time.

People with ASD usually need pictures to help them understand what is going to happen.

Communication

Some people with ASD have trouble understanding certain wordstime words such as “later,” “tomorrow,”

“after while.”feeling words such as “share” or “be nice.”sayings such as “shake a leg.”slang words such as “cool.”

We have to “watch our language” and make sure the person understands what we are saying.

• Use visuals – such as pictures to help the person understand.

• Say things using simple words.

• Don’t talk too fast.

• Never talk about behaviors with the person while they are upset.

• Never talk about the person with ASD to someone else, as if the person weren’t there or as if they can’t understand what you are saying.

Communication Tips

Big Idea

We could be the communication problem. We need to watch

what we say and how we say it.