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Communication methods

Autistic people may have difficulties with communication and may use alternative methods to communicate. The table below highlights a range of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) methods.

Method

Description

Pros and Cons

Makaton symbols and signing

Using symbols, signs and speech as a form of communication. Signs are used along with speech for extra clarity. Pros

  • Signs are used consistently across settings
  • Signs are only used for key words which slows down speech and helps understanding

Cons

  • Partner needs training to understand signs
  • Physical impairments can make accurate signing hard

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

To improve social communication and allow people to make choices, a person can communicate by handing people cards with pictures on. Pros

  • Easily understandable for partner
  • Tangible

Cons

  • Can be resource heavy and cards can be easily lost

Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCA) e.g. Proloquo2Go

An app that gets loaded to a tablet so people can tap icons and create sentences that get read out by the device. Pros

  • Easy to adapt
  • Can be made bespoke
  • Portable
  • Easy for partner to understand

Cons

  • High cost
  • Attention can drift to other apps

Communication books

A picture-based book where the user points to items to communicate Pros

  • Easily personalised
  • Easily portable
  • Free to create, or templates can be bought online

Cons

  • Time-consuming to create
  • No voice output so the user must first gain the attention of their partner

Go Talk

A battery-powered, speech-generating device Pros

  • Personalised for each learner
  • Voice output and press-button function for multiple sensory feedback
  • Hard-wearing

Cons

  • High cost
  • Heavy / bulky to transport

 

This is not an exhaustive list and there are other methods available. Finding the right method with each person can take time, so it is worth testing out a few different options to get to a solution that works for them. Download the full list here.

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