For an autistic child, development often manifests uniquely, with many struggling to communicate and interact. Speech therapy for autism is crucial in addressing these challenges and helping children improve their cognitive and linguistic skills.
With professional support, kids on the spectrum can build communication skills and live with increased happiness and comfort. Speech therapy can be an invaluable asset for a child with ASD and their loved ones, uniting various aspects of development under the guidance of a dedicated team.
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Signs that an autistic child may need speech therapy
By the time a child with autism turns three, they typically start to show some signs of struggling with their communication skills.
Some of the signs of communication challenges include:
- Not speaking at all
- Humming or singing words and sentences for an extended period of time
- Echolalia (repeating what they hear)
- Choosing the correct words, but speaking in a monotone without any expressions or voice inflections
- Making a range of sounds to communicate without using actual words: such as grunts, shrieks, and raspy noises
These speech challenges make it difficult for a child to express their needs. Navigating a world that’s set up to respond to certain language rules that are hard to follow or understand becomes frustrating to the child quickly.
Parents whose child with autism is exhibiting some or all of the behaviors above might decide it’s time to consider speech or verbal therapy as early intervention can be beneficial.
Does speech therapy help with autism?
There are many benefits of speech therapy for autism. For example, your child on the spectrum may find it hard to pick up both oral and non-verbal communication. Working with an expert speech pathologist can help them learn to communicate more effectively for a better quality of life.
When a parent and child first meet with a licensed speech-language pathologist, an evaluation is performed. Using age-appropriate conversation and games, the therapist gets a sense of the child’s current abilities.
From there, it is possible to identify areas for improvement and formulate a strategy for assisting in the development of language and cognitive skills.
Many parents wonder if speech therapy is beneficial for nonverbal autism. The answer is – yes. Speech therapy is still relevant in cases where the child is unable to speak or has minimal speech abilities.
Therapists experienced with kids who have autism know a series of alternative communication methods that can make their clients more comfortable and act as a bridge to new verbal skills.
Of course, spoken language is not the only type of communication for humans. These additional methods are not merely a stopgap measure but add to the child’s overall ability to express themselves.
Benefits of speech therapy for autism
Speech therapy is critical for autistic children who struggle with communication. It helps them better express themselves and form relationships with friends and family.
Research suggests that at least 65% of preschoolers with autism learn to communicate and pick up language skills if they start therapy early.
Speech therapy also pays off for children who have some communication skills. While they may use complex words and phrases, speech therapy can help them strengthen the areas that give them trouble, such as understanding tone and volume and incorporating nonverbal skills.
Training sessions can also help the child build their overall confidence and lower the sense of isolation that can occur from difficulty with social interactions.
Here are some of the speech abilities children with autism may learn in speech therapy:
- Growing more aware of body language and situational context
- Identifying facial expressions
- Clear articulation
- Voice and tone modulation
- Connecting images with words
With these skills, speech therapy helps autistic children to:
- Start a conversation instead of only replying when spoken to
- Understand questions and provide relevant responses
- Hold conversations, exchanging ideas and concepts
- Build relationships through face-to-face communication
Speech therapy techniques for children with autism
A speech therapist working with an autistic child may use the following approaches during a session:
- Sign language and gestures
- Massaging and strengthening muscles in the jaw, throat, mouth, and lips to help develop the ability to speak
- Helping the kid to use digital apps that produce sounds
- A picture exchange communication system (PECS)
- Speech output devices
Speech therapy for toddlers with autism
Speech therapy for toddlers with autism is a vital intervention that can significantly enhance their communication skills. At this early age, toddlers are in a critical period for language development, and timely intervention can make a substantial difference.
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Speech therapists work with these young children to improve their ability to understand and use language, helping them express their needs, thoughts, and emotions more effectively.
Through tailored strategies and activities, therapists address specific challenges, such as:
- difficulty with verbal expression,
- understanding gestures, and
- responding to social cues.
The therapy sessions are often play-based, making them engaging and enjoyable for toddlers. Techniques such as modeling, repetition, and positive reinforcement are used to encourage progress.
Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in this process. They are trained to continue practicing these skills at home, creating a consistent and supportive environment.
Many children who have autism are capable kids in many ways, yet struggle with their communication skills. Their challenges might include making eye contact and discerning expressions and body language.
Speech therapy isn’t all about words – it can help teach autistic children how to connect words to other cues. A speech therapist guides their clients toward becoming more comfortable with eye contact and noticing the context of hand gestures.
The uniqueness of autism
Each child with autism is an exceptional individual with unique abilities and skills. Like any kid, their strengths can be best supported when they get the help they need in the parts of life that might not come as easily. Parents should talk to their trusted doctor or therapist about what speech therapy can do to aid their child’s growth.
FAQs
Q: How does speech therapy help with autism?
A: Speech therapy helps individuals with autism improve their communication skills, including understanding and using language, non-verbal communication, and social interactions. It also aids in reducing frustration by providing tools to express needs and emotions effectively.
Q: How many hours of speech therapy is needed for autism?
A: The number of hours needed for speech therapy varies based on individual needs The duration and frequency are determined by the severity of the speech and language challenges and the specific goals set by the therapist.
Q: What are examples of speech therapy goals for autism?
A: Examples of speech therapy goals for autism include improving verbal communication, enhancing non-verbal communication skills like gestures and eye contact, and developing social interaction abilities. Other goals might focus on expanding vocabulary, understanding and using appropriate grammar, and improving the ability to initiate and sustain conversations.
Q: What age is best for speech therapy?
A: The best age for speech therapy is as early as possible, ideally when developmental delays or communication challenges are first identified, often around ages 2 to 3. Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes by taking advantage of the critical period for language development in young children.
References
Flippin, M., & Hahs-Vaughn, D. L. (2020). Parent couples’ participation in speech-language therapy for school-age children with autism spectrum disorder in the United States. Autism, 24(2), 321-337. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361319862113
Yingling ME, Bell BA. Utilization of speech-language, occupational and physical therapy by diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Child Care Health Dev. 2020; 46: 563–570. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12790
Osman HA, Haridi M, Gonzalez NA, Dayo SM, Fatima U, Sheikh A, Puvvada CS, Soomro FH, Khan S. A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Early Initiation of Speech Therapy and Its Positive Impact on Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cureus. 2023 Mar 9;15(3):e35930. doi: 10.7759/cureus.35930. PMID: 37050996; PMCID: PMC10085252. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10085252/
Speech therapy intervention in a teenager with autism spectrum disorder: a case report, CASE REPORTS, Rev. CEFAC 20 (6), Nov-Dec 2018 https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-021620182068518
Twistiandayani, Retno and Umah, Khoiroh and Nasrullah, Dede (2019) Implementation of Speech Therapy and Social Stories Increasing Social Interaction in Children with Autism. Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 10 (9). pp. 1258-1262. https://repository.um-surabaya.ac.id/4940/
