Communication Assessment and Reassessment
Italia Pietrangelo, Sara Cavicchia, Silvia Di Giannantonio, Isabella Di Grottole, Elisa Di Tillio
The reasons we share the data collected within the Project of Alternative Augmentative Communication The reasons we are sharing the data collected within the Project of Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) in the Semi-Residential Centre for Childhood and Adolescence PAOLO VI in Pescara, are not only related to the documented improvements in the communicative sphere of our patients, but also to positive impacts for them in the socio-behavioural sphere. The centre accommodates children and adolescents with autism, intellectual disabilities and behavioural problems with aggression directed at themselves and others. For the management of such behaviours, the tendency is generally to recommend a pharmacological treatment rather than acting with appropriate interventions on complex communication needs (CCN), despite numerous studies highlighting the positive effect of the use of AAC on behaviour and the development of prosocial skills, even in subjects with a low cognitive function. The creation of an environment of trust encouraged the first communication opportunities and spontaneous insertion of the first symbols indicated by the ComFor (Pioneers in Communication), a clinical test that takes into account the functioning of both autistic and intellectually disabled individuals. It is based on the principles of the TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Disabled Children) programme and it also provides instructions on procedures for the development of emerging communication skills.
Keywords
Alternative augmentative communication, Low cognitive function, Autism spectrum disorders; Behavioural disorders, Communication disorder.
