Review Spontaneous communication in autism spectrum disorder: A review of topographies and interventions Cormac Duffy, Olive Healy * National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Contents 1. Conceptualizing spontaneity ........................................................................... 977 2. Interventions to increase spontaneous communication ...................................................... 978 3. Augmentative and alternative communication strategies .................................................... 978 4. Interventions aimed to establish and increase spontaneous communication ..................................... 980 5. Conclusion ......................................................................................... 982 References ......................................................................................... 982 1. Conceptualizing spontaneity Spontaneous communication is creative, generative, and conventional. While there is general agreement regarding the importance of spontaneous communication, spontaneity as a construct has not been clearly or consistently defined in the wider literature (Ivey, 2009). In general, spontaneous communication is defined as communicative behaviors that occur in the absence of prompts, instructions or other verbal cues. Using such a conceptualization, individuals diagnosed with autism are said to lack spontaneity in their interactions as they are observed to rely on prompts (Reichle & Sigafoos, 1991). Prompts Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 5 (2011) 977–983 ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received 1 December 2010 Accepted 21 December 2010 Available online 15 January 2011 Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder Spontaneous communication Communicative topographies Behavioral interventions ABSTRACT Lack of spontaneous communicative initiations appears to be a consistent problem in individuals with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD; Fujiki & Brinton, 2009). Spontaneous communication is emitted at a much lower frequency compared to individuals with language impairment and typically developing persons. Deficits of spontaneity in social interaction have been identified explicitly in the diagnostic criteria for autism, regardless of communication level or ability (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). In addition, without intervention 21–66% of children with ASD do not develop communicative speech (Lord & McGee, 2001). Individuals with autism rarely initiate appropriate speech and often fail to engage in typical social interactions such as asking questions, requesting information, expressing affection or requesting interactions (Carr & Kologinsky, 1983). This paper provides a review of the communicative topographies used to ameliorate spontaneous communication functions in individuals with autism and addresses the behavioral interventions that are used to induce such spontaneity. ß 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. * Corresponding author at: School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Cairnes’s Building, University Rd., Galway, Ireland. Tel.: +353 49 3457; fax: +353 91 521355. E-mail address: olive.healy@nuigalway.ie (O. Healy). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders Journal homepage: http://ees.elsevier.com/RASD/default.asp 1750-9467/$ – see front matter ß 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2010.12.005