Background: Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems are commonly used to support children with complex communication needs in Australian preschools. However, such systems will only be effective if they contain words and messages that adequately meet these children's communication needs. The aim of this study was to identify the…

Children with fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common known inherited cause of intellectual disability, typically experience communication difficulties. Children with other intellectual disabilities such as Down syndrome also experience communication difficulties. Further, many boys with FXS (some estimates are as high as 35 percent) also are…

"Selective mutism" is the term used to describe a disorder in which a person speaks only in restricted stimulus situations. Examination of single-subject research concerning selective mutism reveals the most popular and successful interventions to instate speech involve a combination of behavior modification procedures. The present research…

Social script and visual cue use with students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were examined. A multiple baseline design across activities with embedded withdrawal was used to measure student acquisition of verbal communication skills. Three children with ASD, two boys and one girl, were taught a series of scripts and were shown a "quiet"…

School success in the 21st century requires proficiency with expository discourse--the use and understanding of informative language in spoken and written modalities. This occurs, for example, when high school students read their textbooks and listen to their teachers' lectures, and later are asked to demonstrate their knowledge of this complex…

The study describes the perspectives of individuals with Asperger syndrome and other autism spectrum disabilities (ASDs) regarding social challenges and supports. Eighteen adults with ASDs were individually interviewed. They were asked to describe their experiences navigating their social worlds, and recommend effective social supports and…

The paper reviews techniques suggested in the literature for the improvement of suprasegmentals (prosody) and the role of music in speech remediation with communicatively impaired children. Specific strategies, including the Z. Kodaly method of teaching singing and the use of a quartz metronome, are recommended. (Author/CL)

The article demonstrates the use of word processing commands for the creation of sections of diagnostic reports, intervention plans, and progress summaries. The use of basic commands for searching and finding key words in a core report is illustrated, along with chaining sequences for writing objectives. (Author/CL)

The article examines computers in the learning processes, noting applications in drill and practice, remediation, tutorial programs, testing, and simulation. A summary of computer use with children having communicative disorders concludes the article. (CL)

Current applications of microcomputers to the field of communication disorders (recordkeeping, word processing, assessment and intervention, educational instruction, and research) as well as emerging applications (interactive video, videotape systems, and videodisk systems) are reviewed. Future applications are briefly noted. (CL)

Results of a survey on the current minimum certification requirements in each state for the employment of speech/language pathologists in public school settings indicated that the majority of states and the District of Columbia require a bachelor's degree as a minimum for certification. Minimum clinical practicum hours and certification renewal…

Research is reviewed on the Makaton Vocabulary, a sign lexicon used with severely communicatively handicapped pupils. It is concluded that the lack of published teaching strategies tends to perpetuate an oversimplified teaching formula. (CL)

A language diagnosis model which reverses the traditional model of testing first and assessing later is described. The 11-step approach is explained to allow for the incorporation of new information as it becomes available. (CL)

The author describes how she has used computer technology as an aid to intervention with young children who have language difficulties. The approach features appropriate language goals, play contexts, and the use use of synthesized speech output. (CL)

Examined communication disorders in two samples of male inmates. Results indicated that the incidence of disorder among prisoners was not dramatically higher than average. Positive correlations were found between age and hearing loss in the exiting group. A negative correlation was found between educational achievement and articulation disorders.…