Naturalistic Social Communication Therapy for Children on the Autism Spectrum

Presented by: Dr. Rachel Reetzke

This course will focus on evidence-based approaches that support the development of social communication skills in children on the autism spectrum. Approaches taught will focus primarily on those centered in naturalistic contexts. The course will also discuss formulating social communication goals for children on the autism spectrum using a neurodiversity lens.

Dr. Rachel Reetzke is a speech-language pathologist and an assistant professor at Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), and an assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding developmental and behavioral heterogeneity in infants at increased likelihood for developing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and children on the autism spectrum. Her second line of research focuses on improving social communication outcomes for children on the autism spectrum through the implementation of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions.

Learning objectives:

1 - Compare and contrast two evidence-based approaches used to support social communication development.

2 - Describe five evidence-based strategies that support social communication development in naturalistic contexts.

3 - Formulate social communication goals for children on the autism spectrum using a neurodiversity lens.