Effective communication support for autism focuses on leveraging visual aids, structured routines, and alternative communication methods to enhance expression and comprehension. Key strategies include using picture systems (PECS), speech-generating devices (AAC), clear/concise language, and social stories to reduce anxiety. Specialized therapies like speech-language pathology and ABA, along with parent-led modeling, foster improved social interaction
.
Key Communication Strategies & Tools
Visual Supports: Use
picture cards, schedules, and visual cues to help autistic individuals
understand routines, reduce anxiety, and improve comprehension.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): For
non-verbal or minimally verbal individuals, AAC tools such as iPads,
speech-output devices, and picture systems (PECS) enable them to communicate
effectively.
Structured Social Interaction: Utilize
social stories to explain social situations and expectations, helping
individuals learn appropriate social behaviors.
Clear, Concise Language: Use
direct, straightforward language to avoid confusion.
Processing Time: Implement
the "10-second rule," allowing ample time for the individual to
process information and respond.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Speech-Language Therapy: SLPs
provide tailored strategies to improve both verbal and non-verbal communication
skills.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): Focuses
on using positive reinforcement to teach communication and social skills.
JASPER: A naturalistic,
developmental intervention that targets joint attention, symbolic play, and
engagement to improve language.
Parent-Led Modeling: Caregivers
can "respond and expand" on a child's communication by imitating,
gesturing, and building on their words.
Strategies to Encourage Communication
Sabotage Routine Situations: Subtly
leave out a needed item to encourage the individual to ask for help or make a
request.
Follow Their Lead: Engage
with the individual's interests to create natural opportunities for
interaction.
Respect Sensory Needs: Acknowledge
that communication may be affected by sensory overload; creating a safe space
reduces anxiety and improves interaction.
Easy Read Workbook
Communication Support for Autism
Level 1 & Level 2
How to Use This
Workbook
This
workbook is written in Easy Read.
You
can:
Read the information
Answer the questions
Use it in training
Use it in classrooms
or workplaces
SECTION 1 –
What is Autism?
Autism
is a developmental condition.
It
affects:
Communication
Social interaction
Understanding
language
Sensory processing
Some
autistic people:
Speak a lot
Speak a little
Do not speak
Use communication
devices
All
communication is valid.
Questions – Level 1
Autism affects
communication.
☐ True ☐ False
Name one thing autism
can affect:
Questions – Level 2
How can autism affect
understanding language?
Why is it important
to respect all communication styles?
SECTION 2 – Why
Communication Support Matters
Communication
support helps people to:
Express needs
Ask for help
Build friendships
Reduce anxiety
Feel included
Support
should always be person‑centred.
Questions – Level 1
Communication support
reduces anxiety.
☐ True ☐ False
Name one benefit of
communication support:
Questions – Level 2
How can communication
support improve inclusion?
SECTION 3 –
Visual Communication Support
Visual
supports help autistic people understand information.
Examples
include:
Picture cards
Visual timetables
Routine boards
Now/Next boards
Visual instructions
Visuals
reduce anxiety.
They
make routines predictable.
Questions – Level 1
Visual supports use
pictures.
☐ True ☐ False
Name one visual
support:
Questions – Level 2
Why do visual
schedules reduce anxiety?
SECTION 4 – AAC
Communication
AAC
means: Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
AAC
helps people communicate without speech.
Tools
include:
Speech devices
Communication apps
Tablets / iPads
Picture systems
(PECS)
AAC
gives people a voice.
Questions – Level 1
AAC is for non‑verbal
communication.
☐ True ☐ False
Name one AAC tool:
Questions – Level 2
How does AAC support
independence?
SECTION 5 –
Clear Language
Use
clear communication.
Good
practice:
Short sentences
Simple words
Direct instructions
Avoid:
Idioms
Sarcasm
Slang
Long explanations
Questions – Level 1
Use long complex
sentences.
☐ True ☐ False
Clear language means
simple words.
☐ True ☐ False
Questions – Level 2
Why can idioms be
confusing?
SECTION 6 –
Processing Time
Autistic
people may need more time to think.
Use
the 10‑second rule:
Ask
Wait
Listen
Do
not rush responses.
Questions – Level 1
People should answer
immediately.
☐ True ☐ False
Questions – Level 2
Why is processing
time important for communication?
SECTION 7 –
Social Stories
Social
stories explain:
Social situations
Behaviour
expectations
Emotions
Routines
They
help reduce anxiety.
They
prepare people for events.
Questions – Level 1
Social stories are
visual supports.
☐ True ☐ False
Questions – Level 2
How do social stories
support behaviour understanding?
SECTION 8 –
Therapies That Support Communication
Professionals
can help build communication skills.
Examples:
Speech & Language
Therapy
ABA
JASPER
These
support:
Speech
Interaction
Play skills
Joint attention
Questions – Level 1
Therapy can support
communication.
☐ True ☐ False
Questions – Level 2
Name one therapy and
what it supports:
SECTION 9 –
Encouraging Communication
Support
communication by:
Following interests
Playing together
Creating
opportunities to request
Modelling language
Adults
can expand language.
Example:
Child: “Car.”
Adult: “Yes, a red car!”
Questions – Level 1
Following interests
supports communication.
☐ True ☐ False
Questions – Level 2
What does modelling
language mean?
SECTION 10 –
Sensory Support
Sensory
overload affects communication.
People
may struggle to:
Listen
Speak
Focus
Support
includes:
Quiet spaces
Breaks
Calm lighting
Questions – Level 1
Noise can affect
communication.
☐ True ☐ False
Questions – Level 2
How can sensory
environments affect interaction?
Final
Reflection
What
have you learned about communication support for autism?
Write
or discuss:
Trainer Notes
Learners
should understand:
Autism communication
differences
Visual supports
AAC tools
Processing time
Clear language
Therapies
Sensory impact
End
of Workbook
section 1: how autism and adhd affect
people (neurodevelopmental conditions)
🔵 what
is autism?
a lifelong condition that affects how
people communicate, socialize, and process the world.
autistic people may struggle with
sensory overload, change, and social rules.
many are very routine-based and need
things to stay the same.
they may find loud noises, bright
lights, or too much talking very hard to cope with.
autism affects how someone’s brain
works, not how clever they are — many autistic people are very intelligent but
process things differently.
🔵 what
is adhd?
a condition that affects attention,
impulses, and energy levels.
people with adhd might:
find it hard to concentrate or stay
focused.
be very active or fidgety (hyperactive).
act without thinking (impulsive).
this isn’t about being
"naughty" — their brains work differently and are often super
fast-moving and creative.
autism spectrum
(asd) explained again:
your repetition
of the definition of asd reinforces its core characteristics related to
information processing, emotions, and social interactions. the emphasis on
individual reactions and responses to the world is key.
sensory
sensitivities and social challenges:
you reiterate
the common sensory sensitivities and the difficulties autistic individuals may
face in understanding the thoughts and feelings of neurotypical people,
especially in unfamiliar situations. the feeling of being overwhelmed by new
positive experiences is also a significant point.
varied
perspectives on autism:
you rightly
point out that understanding autism can vary depending on whether the
information comes from autistic individuals themselves or from professionals,
and even among autistic individuals, experiences differ.
autism as a
disability:
you correctly
identify autism as a lifelong developmental disability affecting communication,
understanding, and interaction, highlighting the significant number of people
on the spectrum in the uk.
individual
differences and desires:
your emphasis
on the fact that not all autistic individuals are affected the same way and
that they, like everyone else, want to live full lives and contribute to
society is crucial for destigmatization.
social
communication and anxiety:
you highlight
the common co-occurrence of social communication difficulties and anxiety,
particularly in new or unfamiliar social situations. the challenges with verbal
and nonverbal communication, understanding nuances like sarcasm, and literal
interpretation are well-explained.
personal
experiences:
your examples
regarding travel (airports, getting lost) effectively illustrate the real-world
challenges faced by autistic individuals due to sensory overload, information
processing differences, and difficulties with navigation.
advocacy for
accessibility:
your points
about the need for accessible public transport, the challenges of self-service
technologies, and the importance of accessible information are vital for
advocating for a more inclusive society.
the shift from
asperger's to asd:
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