Language and Communication Skills for Children with Autism

Devin Bernhagen

Children with autism may have significant delays in acquiring communication and language skills, which are important in everyday life. This literature review explores the research on how educators help children with autism build different types of communication and language skills and also involve the families in this effort. The goal is to make everyday life and the child’s future better by enabling them to live on their own and find jobs in careers that they want. Best practices identified in research show that teachers, professionals and parents can help the child with using nonverbal language, assistive technology, assessments, interventions done by a pathologist or the parents, early parental response, and cooperative relationships between educators and parents. Though much research has already been invested into studying autism, there is a serious need for further development of research-supported interventions for language development for preschool and school aged children with autism. 

• Devin Bernhagen graduated from Airport High School in West Columbia. He is graduating with a degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in early childhood education with special needs. He has volunteered and helped in his community with Special Olympics and is on the Lander Men's Rugby team.