Supporting the communication development of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

As each child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is unique, so are their individual strengths and challenges in communicating and interacting with the world around them. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), working together with parents, teachers, and other health and education professionals, have a critical role in supporting these children’s spoken and written communication development. The research findings discussed in this new publication will help to improve effective assessment and intervention practices. It also provides ideas for continued research efforts to support children and adolescents with ASD to succeed and achieve their aspirations. This special issue stems from research and discussions presented at the conference of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP) in Dublin, Ireland, in August 2016. The Child Language Committee of the IALP is honored to dedicate it to Dr. Carol Westby, consultant for Bilingual Multicultural Services in Albuquerque, NM, USA, and affiliated professor at the Brigham Young University in Provo, UT, USA.