Communication is fundamental to quality of life, social connection, and long-term outcomes. It encompasses the broad exchange of information through various means, including speech, gestures, facial expressions, and body language, while language is a structured system of symbols used as one specific way to communicate. Although language impairment is no longer a diagnostic criterion for autism, communication difficulties remain central to diagnosis. Parents often identify communication and language delays as an early concern, and nearly all early interventions focus on addressing these delays alongside the behavioral challenges that arise from communication difficulties.
This project aligns with national priorities, including the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee’s recommendations and the MCHB Blueprint for Change. Our collaborative network builds on prior successes, leveraging extensive experience in intervention science and community-engaged research. By focusing on communication needs, particularly among individuals with high support needs, we aim to generate meaningful, high-impact research that improves real-world outcomes.
Our specific aims are:
- To gather information on the intervention/support needs of the community, especially with individuals who have lived experience.
- To collect new data on the diffusion and adoption of evidence-based strategies in the community using implementation science methods.
- To examine large scale, existing data sets on language outcomes among a range of autistic individuals with communication needs.
- To create a research and content knowledge infrastructure and disseminate knowledge to a broad representative community.
- To bring about increased knowledge and interest in research and care of autistic individuals and their communication needs through mentoring new generations.
