Implementation of “kombar" in receptive and expressive language skillsin children with autism disorder

Abstract

Pictorial Communication (KOMBAR) is an approach that can be used as an alternative method in training communication skills among children with special needs. This action research was conducted to investigate the effect of using KOMBAR approach in enhancing the development of receptive and expressive English language among children with special needs. Three students with autism disorder were selected for this study. The initial survey found that students with autism had difficulty communicating in English due to their limited vocabulary which prevented them from communicating in simple English. Observation methods are used when students perform activities using the KOMBAR approach. Meanwhile, pre and post tests were used to see changes in achievement in the methodology used for the receptive and expressive mastery of autism students in English.Data from the module given over 3 months were video recorded to see the effectiveness of the KOMBAR approach used in English teaching. The findings indicate that children with special needs showed an increase in vocabulary and were able to communicate using simple English after the "KOMBAR" approach was introduced and applied in the teaching process in the classroom. This research supports that "KOMBAR" is an alternative approach which helps students with special needs enrich their vocabulary and able to communication in simple English.