Aided Augmentative Communication for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Jennifer B. Ganz, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Special Education at Texas A&M University. She received her doctorate at the University of Kansas, with a concentration in autism spectrum disorders and behavioral disorders and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® - Doctoral level. Dr. Ganz has worked as a general and special education teacher and an educational consultant and continues to consult and present for schools and parents on topics relating to autism spectrum disorders and behavior difficulties. She has also been a speaker at regional, national, and international conferences on topics including interventions for behavior and autism spectrum disorders, specifically, strategies to address social and communication skills. Dr. Ganz has received a leadership/doctoral personnel preparation grant to prepare researchers with expertise in autism and behavior analysis, as well as several small grants to fund research projects involving students with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities. In addition, Dr. Ganz has authored or co-authored numerous articles, books, and chapters.

• ​Part 1: Introduction and Overview.- Chapter 1: Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Complex Communication Needs.- Chapter 2: Aided Augmentative and Alternative Communication: An Overview.- Chapter 3: AAC and Assessment of People with ASD and CCN.- Chapter 4: Interdisciplinary Issues and Collaboration in Assessment and Treatment.- Part 2: Interventions and Techniques to Provide Aided AAC for People with ASD.- Chapter 5: Naturalistic Aided AAC Instruction.- Chapter 6: AAC Intervention Mediated by Natural Communication Partners.- Chapter 7: Functional Communication Training with AAC.- Part 3: Controversial Issues in AAC.-Chapter 8: The Controversy Surrounding Facilitated Communication .- Chapter 9: Sign Language versus Aided AAC.​