Beyond Words: Assessing Communication in Adult Autism
Annastasia L.C Fiengo, Valentina Ascani, Valentina Artoni, Elena Bianchini, Alessia Raffaeli, Manuela Leonetti, Vinicio Alessandroni, Lucio Cottini
In autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the lifetime impairment in communication strategies has been recognised as crucial. However, no studies have been carried out investigating the efficacy of communication interventions in adult autism. Herein, we propose the clinical in-depth analysis of two young male adults diagnosed with severe level 3 ASD, with communicative and linguistic impairments, total legal disability with attendance allowance, as well as a legally recognised handicap according to Italian Law 104/92, art. 3, clause 3. A multidisciplinary evaluation was performed, with the administration of the ComFor-2 instrument, in order to provide two different psychoeducational projects that envisage Augmented Alternative Communication (AAC) tools and supports consistent with the real comprehension skills of the participants. From administering the ComFor-2, we found that the first patient achieved full scores in «presentation» and is thus able to take advantage of three-dimensional communication supports; in contrast, the second patient achieved full scores in «representation» and can thus be provided with two-dimensional communication supports. Our results provide evidence that, by using the ComFor-2 instrument for in-depth analysis, adequate tailored communication supports also in adult ASD patients can be selected and structured.
Keywords
Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adulthood, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), ComFor-2, Assessment.
