Here are some simple ideas of how to work with your child's language development while they're taking a break from school this week.In this example, you're going to the zoo:
Sequencing - Talk to your child about what you're going to do that day. You can do this the day before and the day of (be sure to follow through). Maybe you're going to the zoo. But you're not just going to the zoo, you're picking up their friend and you're going to ice cream after. Take pictures as you do these things, maybe just 4 or 5 depending on your child's skills. After the day's events are over, ask your child about what you did. Some kids know that you know what you both did (but mom, you know what we did), so you can ask someone who wasn't there to ask your child about their day (grandma, friend's parent, mom or dad). If they have trouble remembering or sequencing the events in the correct order, you can give the camera as a visual aid to help them remember what happened, and in what order. Sometimes many pictures can be overwhelming and they can't recall it on their own afterwards. Try just showing them the 4 or 5 pictures. 1. First, we picked up Johnny. 2. Then, we drove to the zoo. 3. Next, we saw the animals (here they may share their favorite). 4. After, we went and got ice cream. 5. Last, we took Johnny home.
    You can do this in a wide variety of ways and get really creative with it (drawing pictures of your outing, sequencing the events in order. Printing out pictures and putting them in a 4x6 plastic photo book, etc.). They can bring it back from break to school to tell the teacher (this is reaching into some great memory growth!). Remember, keep it simple and fun! They the activity and you're helping them tell everyone about it

Speech Scientist Ajit Narayanan presents his findings on language development and how using visuals and language "mapping" can increase expressive language, across any spoken language. He has also created an iPad application that he believes helps non-verbal children learn and use language and it can be especially useful for children with Autism. 
As we know, children with Autism are high visual learners and I am excited to see how this progresses!

This letter was so featured at www.autismspeaks.org, one of my favorite resource sites. It is a very inspirational letter and I thought I would share! I hope every teacher can see the beautiful potential and bursting positives each child with Autism has been blessed with. Click the link below to read.

I thought this was a very interesting concept! I'm thinking that siblings may be the best synthetic voices, then use the client's voice output to customize.