Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
A special education teacher and/or a trained therapist often perform the ABA intervention. In elementary school classrooms, teachers can employ some of the same techniques suggested in the …show more content…
PECS uses pictures instead of words to encourage children’s communication (Malhotra et al., 2010). The PECS system is relatively simple and inexpensive, does not require any prerequisite skills, and may facilitate speech (Schwartz et al., 1998).
PECS aims to teach impromptu communicative skills within a social situation through the use of symbols and pictures (Magiati & Howlin, 2003). Teachers can use picture cards to initiate exchange and communication (Magiati & Howlin, 2003; Schwartz et al., 1998). The cards are three-dimensional cards embedded with whole or partial objects to represent people, places, activities, objects, ideas, or actions (Ivy et al., 2014). After the initial picture exchange and interaction, responding and commenting may develop (Ivy et al., 2014). Generalization strategies can also be embedded into the teaching protocol (Schwartz et al., 1998). For children with ASD, teachers can introduce the picture cards to help children communicate their thoughts and needs (Cihak et al., …show more content…
It is important to note that these approaches are not a cure for Autism, but there are many interventions available to support students with ASD and help them be successful in society (Reed et al., 2007). Malhotra et al. (2010) discovered that a combination of interventions enhanced the management of behavioral problems along with improvement in communication and self-help skills. The best approach to learning for children with ASD is to integrate strategies and interventions that best highlight their strengths and facilitate their struggles. Many factors need to be taken into consideration such as parental involvement and identification of the skills that will benefit the child’s future