Communication skills are both verbal and non-verbal. This includes the use of eye contact, body language/movements, gestures, and any vocalization that helps an individual to communicate.

 

 Communication skills is the ability for an individual to accurately covey a message to another individual or individuals.  

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Communication skills vary widely in ASD, although there are two forms of communication: passive and aggressive. 

Functional communication is the most basic of communication skills. It is the ability to express needs, wants, and/or thoughts to another individual in a way that is understood and known.

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This can include expressing feelings and emotions, making request, engaging with other individuals, and even following directions. 

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Functional communication is both verbal and non-verbal. It can use any modality that aides the learner in effectively conveying their message. Examples include pictures, signs, gestures, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, and more. 

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Direct communication is a type of communication that 

involves saying what a person thinks and feels, and it is characterized by active listening and effective feedback. Direct communication is more straightforward, and involves the two-way, free-flowing sharing of thoughts, feelings, and ideas. 

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This type of communication reduces the chances of misunderstandings.

 

This can sometimes be perceived as blunt and/or rude. 

Behavioral communication is when indirect communication or challenging behavior is used to express an individual's needs, wants, feelings, and/or thoughts. 

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Examples of behavioral communication could be rate and pitch of speech, body gestures, facial expressions, and aggression. 

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For instance, when a baby cries it could indicate that the baby is hungry, needs a diaper change, etc.

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A student may become aggressive when they do not possess the skills required to express their desire for a preferred item. 

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All behavior (or lack there of) is a form of communication, if the intent was to convey a message. 

Indirect communication is a way of communication that uses behavioral non-verbal cues to convey their message instead of directly saying it. 

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This style relies on the receiver (listener) to catch the underlying meaning of the conversation. This often leads to misunderstanding and confusion. 

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This style prioritizes social harmony, politeness, and agreement. It avoids confrontation and directness. Sometimes prioritizing politeness over the truth.