A Comic Strip Conversation is a conversation between two or more people who incorporates the use of simple drawings. These drawings serve to illustrate an ongoing communication, providing additional support to individuals who struggle to comprehend the quick exchange of information, which occurs in a conversation. Experience with Comic Strip Conversations indicates it may be an effective tool for parents and professional working with students with autism and other developmental disabilities, although no objective data regarding the effectiveness of this approach is currently available.
While Comic Strip Conversations are as versatile as any other conversation, reporting the past, describing the present, or planning for the future, other characteristics of this approach are unique. Comic Strip Conversations systematically identify what people say and do, and emphasize what people may be thinking. In addition, color may be incorporated to represent the emotional content of statements, thoughts, and question. Some Comic Strip Conversations provide insights into a student’s perspective of a situation, and serve as an excellent prerequisite activity to the development of a social story. Comic Strip Conversations are also used to visually “work through” a problem situation and identify solutions.
RATIONALE
Comic Strip Conversation are based on the belief that visualization and visual supports, found useful in structuring the learning of students with autism, may also improve their understanding and comprehension of conversation. In addition, the uses of a basic set of symbols are used in Comic Strip Conversations to illustrate social skills which are abstract and difficult for students with autism to understanding.