Difficulties with language and communication are one of the defining features of autism. We’ll investigate language peculiarities and development in autism from the perspective of different sensory perceptual processes and cognitive styles; then we can see that autistic (including non-verbal) people do communicate (though sometimes their attempts to transmit information are unnoticed by their non-autistic communicative partners); they do not lack communicative intent but rather often use unconventional means of communication.
To communicate successfully, we have to speak the same language. Teaching autistic children ‘our’ language is not good enough; we have to learn ‘their’ language(s) and communication systems as well.
This is a joint webinar with the World Autism Organization.
About the speaker:
Prof. Olga Bogdashina, Ph.D. (linguistics), MSc (Psychology), MA (Teaching methods) MA Ed (Autism), Honorary Professor, Honorary Doctor, KSPU, Co-founder of the International Autism Institute, and Programme Leader (Autism courses), Visiting Professor in Autism Studies, author of 9 books that reflect her specific interests in autism research: sensory perceptual issues in autism; language and communication in autism; autism and spirituality.
Having founded the first day centre for autistic children in Gorlovka, Ukraine over 30 years ago, she has ‘lived and breathed autism’ since then. However, before 1988 – she knew absolutely nothing about autism or just how much it would mean to her and change her life.