Communication Impairments Part 4: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome and AAC course for General Practitioners

This session is the last of four that looks at different speech, language and communication impairments. The session covers autistic spectrum disorder and Down syndrome. It describes the defining characteristics, prevalence and diagnostic criteria for each condition as well as the referral routes and key supporting agencies. It also provides an introduction to augmentative and alternative communication, which may be used to support communication in children with autistic spectrum disorder or Down syndrome as well as conditions such as cerebral palsy and developmental verbal dyspraxia.

Learning objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• List the common developmental syndromes that give rise to secondary speech, language and communication difficulties
• Identify the chief speech, language and communication characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome
• Identify when it may be appropriate to refer a child to a speech and language therapist, an audiologist, or the child development team for multi-professional assessment
• Know how to access the key agencies providing advice and support for parents of children with speech, language and communication difficulties
• Identify the four strands to augmentative and alternative communication

This is the final of four sessions that explore atypical speech, language and communication development.