The document discusses communication challenges for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and provides tips for improving communication. Some key points covered: - Communication can be very difficult for those with ASD, and they may communicate in non-typical ways like using sign language, pictures, or speech devices. - Individuals with ASD may repeat words verbatim, have trouble making choices or understanding language, and require visual supports to understand. - Effective communication requires speaking simply, avoiding slang, checking for understanding, and being mindful of how we communicate with and about the individual with ASD.

1. The Basics of Autism
Spectrum Disorders
Training Series
Regional Autism Advisory Council of
Southwest Ohio (RAAC-SWO)
Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Task Force

2. 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 Autism

3. 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

4. Big Idea
Communication may be very
difficult for someone with
ASD.

5. Communication
 Some people with ASD do not talk
 They 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Big Idea
For people who have difficulty making
choices, we need to help them by
showing them pictures, drawings,
logos or the actual items.

9. 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.

10. Communication
 Some people with ASD have trouble
understanding certain words
 time 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.

11. Communication Tips
• 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.

12. Big Idea
We could be the communication
problem. We need to watch what
we say and how we say it.