Research library/Communication & Language

Category 3 of 12:

Communication & Language

Whether your child is minimally verbal or endlessly chatty about one topic, these approaches target how they understand, express, and connect.

7 therapies · 2 groups · 0 reviews published

How we grade the evidence:

Strong — multiple trials or reviews, consistent resultsModerate — good evidence, generally acceptedEmerging — promising, still earlyLimited — well-studied and not shown to help, or too little study to knowControversial — significant debate among researchers, use cautionHarmful — documented risk of harm — not recommended

Speech-Language Therapy

Working directly on speech and understanding, with a therapist or coached through you.

Strong evidence

Traditional Speech-Language Therapy (SLT)

Therapist-led sessions targeting articulation, language comprehension, and expression.

All agesComing soon
Moderate evidence

Hanen – More Than Words

Parent training program to enhance communication in children with ASD.

Toddlers – preschoolComing soon
Moderate evidence

SCERTS

Comprehensive framework for building social communication and emotional regulation.

All agesComing soon

Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)

Pictures, boards, and devices that give your child a voice while speech develops — or instead of it.

Strong evidence

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Teaches functional communication using picture cards exchanged for desired items.

Early childhood – adultsComing soon
Strong evidence

High-Tech AAC Devices (SGDs)

Speech-generating devices with dynamic display or core vocabulary for communication.

All agesComing soon
Strong evidence

Low-Tech AAC (symbol boards, visuals)

Static picture boards, communication books, and visual supports.

All agesComing soon
Controversial evidence

Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) / Spelling to Communicate (S2C)

Letterboard-based methods to support communication for non-speaking individuals. Evidence base contested; under active debate.

School age – adultsComing soon
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