The observational study examined the sign language and communication abilities of 10 nonspeaking, autistic and autisticlike children (6 to 14 years old) involved in simultaneous communication training. Video data were collected as each child interacted with his/her therapist and with an unfamiliar adult. Analyses of the children's and adults'…

The paper describes a program of teaching simultaneous communication (total communication) to behaviorally disordered preschool children, and presents the cases of two autistic and two autisticlike children. Simultaneous communication involves tactile, visual, oral, and auditory modalities and combines spoken language with Signed English. Before…

A similtaneous verbal and gestural approach to communication was used with 11 autistic children (5 to 10 years old). Available from: Journal of Practical Approaches to Developmental Handicap, 3304-33rd Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2L 2A6. (SBH)

Intended for speech and language pathologists, teachers, and others, the book serves as an introduction to the use of total communication with autistic and other severely impaired populations. A brief introduction addresses sign language adaptation, criteria for choosing a core vocabulary, and a hierarchy of receptive and expressive skills.…

The paper presents an overview of the methods used in a class for autistic children (ages 4-11 years) and reports on a longitudinal case study of an autistic 11 year-old girl. Autistic characteristics, such as poor eye contact and insensitivity to pain, are outlined. The author explains that the program emphasized teaching basic communication…

Vocational and language skill development of severely retarded and autistic adolescent Hispanics is a training focus at the University of Texas, El Paso. University students and parents of the handicapped are trained in the following areas: teaching grocery shopping and how to order from fast food restaurants, teaching use of public…