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Autism/Communication with Autistic Sister

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Expert: - 12/9/2010


Question
I am a (new) guardian to my 38 year old sister & am very motivated to represent her appropriately.  At times I'm struggling with advocating for her because when I ask her questions, it seems like she is repeating what someone else has said to her. Yet at other times she does seem to answer appropriately.  How can I tell the difference between speaking freely vs. as expected?  How can I communicate better?

Answer
Hi Katherine

You are wonderful to be taking on this responsibility. I would recommend that you take her to a speech pathologist who can determine what her level of comprehension is. Otherwise, it will be too difficult for you to know if she is just saying what someone tells her or it is her own thoughts. But if  you can determine her level of receptive and even expressive language, the speech pathologist will be able to figure out if the comments are appropriate to her levels.

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Valerie Herskowitz

Expertise

I am an autism expert and speech pathologist (for over 30 years). I am also the parent of a child with autism. I can answer any question on autism dealing with communication, education, behavior and diet. I cannot answer questions that are medical in nature or are dealing with medications.

Experience

I have run a therapy center for individuals with autism since 1981. I lecture all over the country. I also teach classes on autism on line.

Organizations
Vice President of Communications Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Member American Speech and Hearing Association, MembernAutism Society of America, President of the National Autism Registry, Vice President of the Association for Developmentally Disabled Adults and Adolescents.

Publications
Autism Society of America's national publication (September 2008). Advance Magazine, South Florida Parenting, Spectrum Magazine, I am the author of: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology (available:www.valerieherskowitz.com)

Education/Credentials
I have a masters degree in speech pathology

Awards and Honors
I won a Stevie Award in 2004: Lifetime Achievement Award for my work with individuals with autism. My therapy center won, Judge's Choice Award Best Center in South Florida by South Florida Parenting magazine 2005.

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