Autism

Biography

Biography: Collen Tryner

Abstract

Adapted Autism Sign Language is a very unique way of communication taking advantage of a multi-sensory approach. Stories are customized to the child/young adult’s comprehension level, written out on sentence strips, then read aloud to the child/young adult while being paired with sign language. The most important and most overlooked intervention in Sensory Integration is for the caretaker to offer options and a chance for the child to give input. Nonverbal children often react to sensory overload in what seems to be undesirable behavior. The best way to accommodate is to respect and realize that they are in a constant state of hyper/hyposensitivity. Involving the child allows them to not be forced into a world that is causing them pain from sensory input where essentially the child loses himself to accommodate us. Through the use of Adapted Autism Sign Language, I have accomplished explaining upcoming events to my own nonverbal son with Autism and prepare him for what to expect. Follow up consists of asking him questions, allowing input where he can convey to me if the upcoming situation will be too overwhelming. I question until I can find ways to change the event to become tolerated. Using Adapted Autism Sign Language to prepare my son ahead of time has in fact made him more capable of being more involved in school, volunteering, work, family events, and even trips to a restaurant. He is prepared ahead of time using the unique method of Adaptive Autism Sign Language, and he prepares me ahead of time to who, what and how long he can tolerate the event. Offering choices allows the child to give input and insight without being forced to constantly change themselves which could lead to meltdowns. We must protect the child to feel safe. If the child is always on guard, they will always be tense and experience negative behaviors. Use of Adapted Autism Sign Language can help the child communicate sensorial needs.