At the Hussman Institute for Autism, my research focuses on enhancing the communicative competence of young children with autism by providing parents and other communication partners with strategies to incorporate AAC into their daily lives. Specifically, my colleagues and I have developed a communication protocol that provides a model for coaching parents and other communication partners to use AAC with their children by presuming competence, following the child’s lead, providing opportunities for communication, modeling, and reinforcing communicative attempts.  Additionally, I will be investigating collateral effects this may have on the family system in the areas of psychosocial well-being and sibling relationships.

Ashlyn L. Smith, Ph.D.
Associate Clinical Researcher