Say It With Me

Step-by-step guide to conduct more effective speech therapy sessions for autistic clients If you’re tired of therapy sessions that don’t feel productive, Say It With Me is your step-by-step guide to effective intervention that addresses the common frustrations and questions faced by speech therapists working with autistic students and other communication differences. Written by veteran speech therapist and BCBA Rose Griffin and drawing on her twenty years of experience and strategies, this book emphasizes naturalistic teaching strategies and includes exercises that students can practice at home as well as real-life stories from Griffin’s own career. Readers will find insights on: Various standardized and informal assessments to help readers gather a plan to start implementation and training for a student who is not yet speaking Strategies for creating engaging activities and fostering social communication skills using books, music, and play to increase a student’s social engagement in therapy Assessment and goal setting for initial skills development, helping therapists prioritize essential communication skills based on individual needs Ways to understand the function of challenging behavior and implement positive behavior supports Frameworks for providing fun and functional group therapy, which is popular in school-based settings Say It With Me earns a well-deserved spot on the bookshelves of all SLPs, BCBAs and RBTs working in various settings including schools, clinics, and private practice.

About the Author ix Acknowledgments xi Introduction xiii CHAPTER 1 From Scores to Solutions: The Assessment Approach That Changes Your Therapy Plan 1 CHAPTER 2 Beyond the Therapy Room: Teaching Skills That Generalize 19 CHAPTER 3 When Your Student Won’t Engage: Strategies to Build Social Connection 33 CHAPTER 4 Stop Forcing Turn-taking: Play-based Social Learning That Actually Works 49 CHAPTER 5 Beyond Single Words: Teaching Expressive Language Students Will Use 61 CHAPTER 6 Teaching Receptive Language That Sticks: Moving Beyond Rote Responses 79 CHAPTER 7 From Chaos to Progress: Running Effective Groups for Nonspeaking Students 91 CHAPTER 8 Supporting Students with Behavioral Barriers 105 CHAPTER 9 AAC Without the Overwhelm: A Practical Guide to Getting Started Today 117 CHAPTER 10 Functional First: Writing IEP Goals That Prepare Students for Real Life 133 CHAPTER 11 IEP Meeting Mastery: From Data Presentation to Goal Approval in 60 Minutes 147 CHAPTER 12 Ethical Collaboration in Practice 159 Appendix A: Receptive ID Activities 175 Appendix B: Key Questions for Parents of Nonspeaking Autistic Children 179 Appendix C: Group Data Sheet 181 Appendix D: ABC Data Sheet 183 Appendix E: Informal Assessments 185 Appendix F: Autism IEP Goal Bank 193 Index 213