The Communication Journey of a Fully Included Child With an Autism Spectrum Disorder

This article follows José, a child with autism spectrum disorder, through his communication journey from age 3 to age 11. His journey illustrates many of the characteristics and challenges of individuals with autism spectrum disorders, as they become a part of the literate community in the general education classroom. Collaborative, family-based teaming strategies that supported José’s language and literacy learning from kindergarten through fourth grade are described. The article credits early, intensive intervention based on the family’s concerns and goals for meaningful outcomes and communicative competence across learning contexts and communicative partners. Speech-language pathologists’ roles as advocates for all students to have access to the social and literate community are also highlighted.