Universal Means Of Communication Summary

Summary

“Communication is a process whereby people collectively create and transmit meaning through the exchange of verbal and non-verbal messages in a particular context” (Oetzel, 2009). The communication process in how we understand people and how they understand us is an important exchange. It is not limited to language but includes non-verbal communication and understanding of symbols. It is essential for communication to decode messages and be able to code messages from others. This process can be complex. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represent a significant group of people that have no socially acceptable system of communication. This disorder impairs speech, social interaction and other functional communication skills.

As we have learned in chapter 1, communication involves the creation and transmission of meaning. “Communication is very powerful because we create new possibilities and new perspectives by interacting with others. All of us have different ideas, but through our interaction, we come up with a policy that no one individual had entered the room with, that in fact there is a power to create meaning or "social-construction of meaning" with others”. (Oetzel, 2009). Individuals with ASD have similar behaviors, values, and norms that contribute to their basic understanding of communication to serves as a frame of reference. Utilizing symbols or pictures to extract language into meaningful messages is critical for ASD individual. It allows them to convey their message socially among one another which is the first step in socially-acceptance. The textbook also displays how communication always takes place in a context. A frame of reference for understanding communication behavior to make sense of the world, PECS utilizing picture cards to strengthen symbols into a universal meaning. This significantly empowers how ASD individual has seen the world and be able to communicate their beliefs and

One of the biggest problems is the restriction of the structure in social conditions. In order for the individual to converse with family member or teachers, there should constantly need to be a picture available for ASD individual to share how they feel. These pictures could get misplaced or destroyed which can lead to odd behavior or angry outbursts. “PECS does not allow for social communication independence, it is designed for same room interaction and does not provide the person with a verbal disability the opportunity to teach those around them the level of their cognitive abilities. This can become time-consuming” (Gagnon