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Semin Speech Lang 1998; 19(4): 407-423
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1064057
© 1998 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Environmental Supports to Enhance Social-Communication

Kathleen Ann Quill
  • The Autism Institute, Essex, Massachusetts
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Publication Date:
15 May 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

“Environmental support” is a general term used to define the systematic use of explicit visual and/or social cues to clarify meaning for children with autism. Environmental supports can serve as a compensatory means to structure and enhance language understanding, social engagement, and social-communicative interactions. The unique and atypical developmental patterns associated with autism provide the rationale for the use of two environmental supports: visually cued instruction and modified sociolinguistic input. Using empirical research, multiple examples of environmental supports to enhance social-communication are provided.

KEY WORDS

autism - communication - instruction