Problem behaviors in nonverbal autistic individuals: the role of alternative augmentative communication
Published 2025-12-19
Keywords
- Autism, Problem behaviors, Alternative augmentative communication, Nonverbal.
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2025 Maria Jose' Borrelli, Federica Ascione
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Objective: This Scoping Review aims to analyze the correlation between problem behaviors and communication deficits in non-verbal individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), evaluating the role of Functional Communication Training (FCT) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) as evidence-based tools for reducing dysfunctional behaviors and enhancing communicative autonomy.
Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews), including articles published in English between 2015 and 2025. The databases consulted were PubMed and Google Scholar, using the following keywords: "Autism", "Problem behaviours", "Augmentative and Alternative Communication", "Non-verbal", with predefined inclusion criteria.
Results: From the initial search, 742 articles were identified, but only 8 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final scoping review. The data confirm that the absence of functional communication channels is a primary risk factor for the emergence of dysfunctional behaviors. The implementation of FCT, even via telehealth, and the use of AAC tools (PECS, digital devices, gestures, images) have been shown to significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of problem behaviors, improving communication quality and reducing family stress. However, the literature remains limited and fragmented, with little focus on the systematic and formal integration of FCT and AAC.
Conclusions: The review highlights the need to develop early, multimodal, individualized intervention models that formally integrate AAC into FCT protocols, not only as an expressive support but also as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the functional analysis of behavior.
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