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Social communication has many definitions. Ill present declaratives as our focus for studying social communication. After defining the concept, Ill indicate why declaratives are so important, particularly in studying children with autism. Ironically, directly teaching declaratives may be difficult. However, Ill present 4 studies (3 from our own lab and 1 from another lab) to support that interventions can facilitate declaratives, even in children with autism. Ill present criterion by which we might distinguish teaching surface forms vs. helping children use the declarative function. Ill suggest causal mechanisms by which treatment might facilitate declaratives. Finally, Ill conclude with suggested treatments based on the pre-treatment level of declaratives in the children. Funding source: NIDCD. |
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