#174: Supporting Language and Literacy For Children With Complex Communication Needs with Dr. Elizabeth Biggs

In my continued effort to bridge the gap between research and therapy, I had a great discussion with Dr. Elizabeth Biggs, assistant professor of special education. We discuss the power of Literacy in human connection. Even for children with complex communication needs, the need for literacy starts at birth (cue the baby shower gifts of everyone's favorite books), and it never stops!

In a study tracking around 40 families through the pandemic school year (20-21), Dr. Biggs and other researchers checked in on their journey of supporting their children's literacy and language learning.  While many families expressed aspirations for their child's communication progress, a significant portion didn't prioritize literacy, perceiving their children as not ready or simply not giving it much thought.

Their research found that confidence in literacy acquisition varied greatly, often depending on the support from providers and teachers. They also looked at concerns regarding literacy, especially concerning the acquisition and utilization of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems, with only a single family reporting a positive experience.

Literacy is  reading, writing, speaking, listening, and expressing—each learned in intertwined manner and contributing to meaningful human connections. Dr. Biggs encourages a family-centered approach in your therapy whenever you can,  emphasizing the need to equip and support families in nurturing literacy skills in their children. Ultimately, as Dr. Biggs states in our conversation, “Literacy is for ALL kids, not just some kids”.

Do you like episodes like this? Do you want to hear more about recent research and how you can implement it in your therapy room? Leave a review and let me know!


 #autism #speechtherapy

What’s Inside:

• When is literacy and when does it start?
• Understanding literacy in families, analyzing the research.
• Who can learn literacy and language skills?
• How can providers support learners and their families with literacy?

Mentioned In This Episode:
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