Contents:
Toolkits and Infographics
3904dac9933a4457b74f6a0eb20db866.tmb-fullpage.png)
Supporting Individuals with Limited Speech
Individuals with limited speech can often benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). AAC refers to interventions designed to compensate for an individual’s communication difficulty. In this toolkit, Dr. Pat Mirenda, one of Canada's leading researchers, describes the different types of AAC, what sort of considerations one should make when deciding on an approach to try, and refutes some of the myths surrounding AAC.
How to represent those who cannot voice their own opinion on complex issues?
This review offers a brief summary of selected literature addressing self-representation among non or minimally-speaking autistic individuals with or without intellectual disabilities. Examples of potential ways to support representation are offered. The literature advocates for knowledge development and training in communication strategies for community members such as health care providers.
How to be an Ally to the Autistic Community
This toolkit is a collaboration of articles written by self-advocates and an occupational therapist to provide diverse perspectives and narratives. It gives insight into different aspects of autism and practical tools for implementing allyship principles. This toolkit is intended for use in the community to help support the inclusion and acceptance of autistic people.
The Neglected End of the Autism Spectrum: People With Little Speech
People with autism vary in verbal language ability, from those who are fully verbal to those who are minimally or non-verbal. There are other ways to communicate besides talking, such as with the assistance of technology.
De-Escalation Strategies: Key Behaviours
People who work with the public interact with the neurodivergent community in a variety of ways. This short infographic provides general guidance on how best to support and de-escalate common situations they may face in the workplace.
By using these best-practice support strategies, people can hopefully resolve situations quickly and have positive outcomes for all.
De-Escalation Strategies: For Emergency Response
First responders encounter numerous emergency situations with the neurodivergent community that can be stressful for all involved. This short infographic provides general guidance on how best to support and de-escalate common situations they may face in the field
By using these best-practice support strategies, first responders can hopefully resolve situations quickly and have positive outcomes for all.
Videos and Webinars
National Autism Conference: A Conversation with Autistic Non-Speakers
The Public Health Agency of Canada hosted a National Autism Conference on August 27, 2024. AIDE Canada was asked to interview Autistic non-speakers to share their perspective on five themes discussed during the conference. AIDE Canada thanks our interviewees for sharing their perspectives and insights.
Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Pt 1
This presentation introduces Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) as a way to communicate outside of spoken communication with a particular focus on the neurodiversity perspective. We will dive into what AAC is, who is a good candidate, AAC and language development, and how one might effectively teach someone to use AAC in their natural environment.
Supporting the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Pt 2
This presentation will provide you the opportunity to develop strategies and create personalized plans to support the use of an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system for communication purposes.
Spellers Webinar
Join us for an insightful panel discussion celebrating the intelligence, resilience, and determination of individuals who communicate by spelling. Many non-speakers face significant barriers to fully expressing themselves, yet through alternative communication methods, they are reclaiming their voices and sharing their stories. This discussion will explore the empowering yet challenging journey of being heard, understood, and included, featuring firsthand experiences from non-speaking individuals and insights from advocates and experts. Together, we will highlight the importance of breaking barriers and fostering inclusion
Visuals and Communication
This presentation offers backgrounds, insights, ideas, and examples of how visuals can support successful communication for Autistic children and their families. Topics will include what visuals are, how visuals can be used, when and where visuals may be worth the effort. This workshop is designed for professionals and families of autistic children, ages 2-18. Participants will leave with increased confidence in the value and use of visuals to support effective communication.
Interoception and Communication: Starting the School Year Well
Interoception is the sensory system that allows us to know what is happening inside our bodies. In autistic people, interoception signals can be confused or missed entirely - which can impact physical, communication, and emotional processing, especially in classroom settings. Renowned autistic researcher and interoception expert Dr. Wenn Lawson will provide an introduction to interoception, describe how it impacts communication and the ability to recognize internal states that impact our external body states too, and provide guidance on interoception exercises that can empower your child to feel more comfortable in classroom environments.
Basic Communication Strategies For Early Communicators
This session covers key components of communication for early communicators who may not use words up to and including those who are speaking in simple sentences. The session is ideal for parents who have concerns about their child’s communication and for support personnel who are wanting to ensure they are thinking about critical aspects of communication.
Courses
Interpreting Social Situations Interactive Video Series
Social situations can be hard to navigate, especially if you are unsure if a person is treating you with respect or not. In this interactive video series, we present you with social situations that autistic self-advocates identified as being confusing or hard to respond to. You can choose how you think you should respond to these situations and then see a possible outcome.
Dispatchers and Paramedics Course: Strategies for Responding to Emergency Calls with Autistic People
Dispatchers and Paramedics often have the challenging job of helping people with incomplete information. In this course developed with BC Emergency Health Services and the Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of BC, first responders are provided with an introduction to supporting autistic patients during calls, provided with guidance on the ABCD approach to emergency calls, and provided with useful de-escalation support strategies to improve the likelihood of successful outcomes during calls.
Supporting individuals with Developmental Disabilities: A course for firefighters on how best to support individuals and their families to maximize the likelihood of successful outcomes
Firefighters often respond to calls to support persons with developmental disabilities. Richmond Fire Rescue and the Pacific Autism Family Network in British Columbia have been providing in-person training to first responders since 2009. We have adapted this training to create an online course so firefighters across Canada can have access to this potentially life-saving information. Firefighters can learn strategies to best support and de-escalate difficult situations and maximize the likelihood of successful outcomes.
From the Library
AIDE Canada Library offers a large collection of print and digital (eBook and audiobook) resources. For each of the resources below, we have included links to all available formats.
If you would like to borrow a print copy of one of these books, you can order it through our
free Canada-wide borrow-by-mail service.
eBooks and audiobooks can be borrowed online – just sign into our
overdrive
website or the
Libby
reading app using your AIDE Canada Library username and password. Visit the
Library website
to learn more. Questions? Email us at
library@aidecanada.ca
.
A Day with No Words
By Tiffany Hammond; illustrations by Kate Cosgrove
Summary:
"Young children will learn what life can look like for an autistic child who uses nonverbal communication by following a mother and child on a day where they use a tablet to communicate with others."
Borrow by mail or pick up in person at AIDE Canada Library
Talking Is Not My Thing
By Rose Robbins
Summary:
"A girl with autism who almost never speaks demonstrates how easily she communicates with her brother and grandmother through facial expressions, gestures, flashcards, and drawings."
Borrow by mail or pick up in person at AIDE Canada Library
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism
By Higashida Naoki
Summary:
"Navigate the challenging terrain of autistic burnout with expert guidance and transformative exercises designed to help you pursue your own recovery from neurodivergent psychologist Dr. Megan Neff. Feeling burnt out? You're not alone. Autistic burnout is a challenge faced by many individuals on the autistic spectrum. And Autistic Burnout Recovery is here to help. This transformative guide is designed to empower individuals on the autism spectrum to manage and overcome burnout. Crafted with empathy and insight, this guide provides practical strategies and exercises to help you navigate the unique challenges associated with burnout. Through interactive prompts and activities, Autistic Burnout Recovery teaches individuals how to identify triggers, manage sensory overload, and build resilience. It encourages self-reflection and cultivates a supportive environment for personal growth. It is a proactive approach to mental health, promoting self-care and fostering a sense of control that makes it a lifeline for those grappling with the realities of autistic burnout."
Borrow by mail or pick up in person at AIDE Canada Library
Borrow eBook
Borrow Audiobook
The Autism Language Launcher
By Kate Wilde
Summary:
"Do you want to help your child on the autism spectrum to verbally communicate with you and others? You've picked up the right book. The Autism Language Launcher gives you something totally new: a step-by-step guide that ignites language lift-off by using methods such as tapping into your child's innate intelligence, going with your child instead of against your child and providing techniques that work with adults on the spectrum. Written for parents, relatives, professionals, educators, or caregivers of a child or adult who is not yet verbal, making some sounds, using some words, speaking in single words, or using two-word phrases, this book uses the author's decades of experience with children and adults on the spectrum. Kate also demonstrates how to effectively address your child's echolalia, repetitious language, and repetitive questions in a way that your child will find supportive, bonding, and even joyful. Ultimately, this book shows you how to make language happen."
Borrow eBook
Building Communication and Independence for Children Across the Autism Spectrum : Strategies to Address Minimal, Language, Echolalia, and Behavior
By Elizabeth Ives Field
Summary:
"Expert author Elizabeth Ives Field combines four decades of working in the autism field to provide functional, in-depth strategies for children on the spectrum who struggle with communication. Incorporating descriptions of composite children at different developmental stages, this book sets out individual goals and therapy approaches for children who may have no speech, moderately functional speech or echolalia, as well as for highly verbal individuals who may not always use appropriate language. Covering a wide range of interventions to address communication, independence and social behavior, this book provides developmentally appropriate strategies to help children express themselves more effectively, build relationships and reach their full potential."
Borrow by mail or pick up in person at AIDE Canada Library
Borrow eBook
Leaders around me : Autobiographies of Autistics who type, point, and spell to communicate
By Edlyn Vallejo Peña
Summary:
"Leaders Around Me: Autobiographies of Autistics who Type, Point, and Spell to Communicate is a compilation of 45 autobiographies of extraordinary individuals who use keyboards, letter boards, and communication devices. The authors demonstrate that people who experience communication differences have the potential to achieve major accomplishments under accessible, inclusive, and supportive circumstances. Each autobiographical narrative ends with reflection questions to encourage reader engagement and reflection. All autistic individuals deserve autistic leaders around them for support and mentoring."
Borrow by mail or pick up in person at AIDE Canada Library
Communication Alternatives in Autism : Perspectives on Typing and Spelling Approaches for the Nonspeaking
By Edlyn Vallejo Peña
Summary:
"Ten autistic self-advocates share their experiences with alternative forms of communication such as rapid prompting method (RPM) and facilitated communication (FC), both highly controversial. Their narratives document the complexities that autistic individuals navigate—in both educational and community settings—when choosing to use approaches that utilize letter boards and keyboards. While the controversies remain—RPM requires further scientific study, and FC is subject to criticism about confirmation bias—these individuals share powerful stories in the context of aiming for disability rights. The book concludes with a chapter about best practices for educators, particularly for schools and colleges that have students who use these communication methods."
Borrow by mail or pick up in person at AIDE Canada Library
Borrow eBook
Communication Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome : Do we speak the same language?
By Olga Bogdashina
Summary:
"What happens when you make it to adulthood before finding out you're autistic? As A.J. Odasso writes in this anthology: "You spend a lot of time wondering what's wrong without ever knowing why." This anthology includes essays from a diverse group of adult-diagnosed autistic people. Our essays reflect the value of knowing why--why we are different from so many other people, why it can be so hard to do things others can take for granted, and why there is often such a mismatch between others' treatment of us and our own needs, skills, and experiences. Essay topics include recovering from burnout, exploring our passions and interests, and coping with sensory overload, especially in social situations. If you know you're autistic, are beginning to wonder, share similarities with autistic people, or want to support an adult autistic friend or family member--or if you simply want to know why it's so important that autistic adults know we're autistic--this book is for you."
Borrow by mail or pick up in person at AIDE Canada Library
Borrow eBook
Photo by cottonbro studio on Unsplash
