An expert look at ways you can help your child with autism un-jumble the chaos of noise and language for better communication. Imagine for a moment, a laundry basket full of clean clothes straight from the dryer. Socks, shirts, undies, pajamas, and pants belonging to all members of the family are jumbled together. There is
Speech delays, holding conversations, understanding statements/questions/needs as well as connecting with other people. Sometimes includes taking language too literally and missing sarcasm. Includes a parent/carer communicating with a teacher, school, therapist on behalf of someone with autism.
Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have trouble with communication skills such as understanding and interpreting language. Speech therapy is designed to improve all areas of communication in your child. It is thought that, the earlier that your child receives it, the greater the chances of improving his/her communication skills. One of the
You’ve noticed that your child isn’t speaking as fluently as other kids his/her own age. Maybe he/she hasn’t even said their first words. Could this delay in their speech development be a sign of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Not necessarily. While speech delays, language delays, and learning differences are often a hallmark of ASD, a speech
Does facilitated communication have a place in the world of autism? The biggest debate has been over who is doing the communicating, the nonverbal individual, or the facilitator? Over the years, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of facilitated communication in nonverbal children with autism and other conditions. This article will cover what facilitated
Many children on the autism spectrum use echolalia (repeating other people’s words and sentences) as a way of responding to direction, as well as expressing their wants and needs. Echolalia may be confusing for parents and neurotypical people but it need not be distressing. To explore the subject of echolalia and look at solutions for
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), often known colloquially as just “autism”, is a neurological condition present in kids from birth and usually detected in the first few years of life. For a child with ASD, their development manifests in different ways. Some tend to struggle with communicating and interacting with people, and the development of cognitive
As a speech pathologist, I have come across families who swear by the impact of oral motor exercises on their child’s development and learning. While I have no doubt that there is truth in their statements (kids are remarkable), it is important to explore what the research says on the topic and to consider how
Parents, I get it. You NEED a solution for when your non-verbal autistic child becomes frustrated resulting in a meltdown. As parents, we have to find ways to bring peace to the chaos. Sign language is an amazing tool to meet both your need as a parent and your child’s need to express themselves. Here
I am a speech language pathologist who spends the bulk of my day coaching social skills with people on the spectrum. I say lovingly (my heart is BIG for neurodiverse communication) that I have been talked “at” more times than I can count in my office. I wish we could all talk about our interests
There is not one day that goes by that my son, with high-functioning autism, opens my eyes to a new way of thinking, a different perspective. He “gifts” me a fresh lens to view a familiar situation with a new interpretation. Yet, as intelligent as our children are, their cognitive wiring is mapped differently, and
The most powerful insight I have gained during my 30 years of inspiring our beautiful children to verbally communicate is the knowledge that that all growth starts with acceptance of our children as they are. This cannot be overlooked or bypassed. It is the wings upon which all change occurs. If you want your child,
American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most used foreign language in the United States. It ranks right behind Spanish and French, with approximately 2 million individuals in the United States utilizing it (Gallaudet University Library, 2016). How can this beautiful language be used to benefit the lives of children with autism? 1. Does Your
As a pediatrician, I have been taught that the developmental progress of a three to four-year-old should include well over 500 words and a child should be able to describe things and situations in a meaningful way. This milestone is one that all parents strive for as it is an important part of a child’s
in Communication Skills by May Ng
It can be challenge sometimes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) when it comes to meeting and communicating with other kids. Some children may experience serious attacks of anxiety, and these situations can be hard for everyone. There are several strategies to help develop and improve social skills for children with autism. Here are
My little boy will sometimes call cookies ‘biscuits,’ and gasoline ‘petrol.’ He has lived in the Midwestern United States all eight years of his life, but that does not stop him from saying, “I CAHN’T!” when asked to complete a task, or requesting ‘pahn-cakes’ for breakfast. Greyson has no idea where England is, but he
In all my years as a teacher and tutor, I have yet to see a frown or a tear shed by students in creating or reading comics. For those who work with children on the autism spectrum, the practice of creating comic strips with free comic generators like MakeBeliefsComix.com or even drawing them by hand
As a practicing clinician specializing in adult diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), I have noticed that as the diagnosis of children impacted on the spectrum has dramatically increased (current statistic from the Centers for Disease Control is 1:55), the first time diagnostic rates for adults on the spectrum also continue to skyrocket, making the
For years, I’ve been searching for a way to reconcile my passion for speech therapy and my addiction to earning new, vibrant stamps in my passport. I was reading a news article when I came across a non-governmental organization in Cambodia helping to make speech therapy available to those with communication difficulties. In Cambodia, speech
As parents to children who are nonverbal or have limited speech, we have to learn some skills of our own to help them learn to communicate better. I have three children with autism myself who are all now extremely verbal, but when they were younger, communication was a constant struggle. Here are a few of
The new school year can be a source of stress for many children and even more so for children with autism. There are new people to meet, new routines to learn, and all the while having to navigate this real-world environment we call school. Communicating with your child’s teacher is critical to your child’s success.
My son, now 17, was diagnosed with Asperger’s at age 12, though we knew there was something “different” about him long before then. I remember going to school for career day and seeing several kids in the hall excitedly greet my son, who just walked right by them without even acknowledging they had spoken to
Let’s go back to a moment when your child shared a story that was not his/her own and was disconnected from that present situation. Give yourself the luxury of a short daydream. First, focus on your child’s adorable, precious face. Next, fill in the scene that you just imagined. Include your shared words or story
Communication is the act of exchanging a message between two people, either vocally or non-vocally, and it begins at the very beginning stages of life. At the first stages of communication, we may cry or babble in order to self-soothe or react to something unpleasant or exciting. Later, we may start to reach, point, or
Molly was diagnosed with autism at age two. She was quiet—almost non-verbal—and did not play with other children. To communicate, she led her parents to what she wanted or needed. Molly also had severe tantrums and trouble maintaining a regular sleep pattern. She did not appear to be a typical two-year-old. She seldom smiled or
Over the past 17 years, our program, Kid Pan Alley, worked with more than 40,000 children writing songs in schools throughout the country. Those kids have written more than 2,700 songs, some of which were recorded by top entertainers such as Delbert McClinton, Sissy Spacek, Amy Grant, Kix Brooks, Suzy Bogguss and more. One was
As a parent, a loving, emotional connection with your autism spectrum disorder (ASD) child is likely what you crave above all else. Chances are that you feel robbed of this as a result of your child’s diagnosis. I know this feeling first-hand. My son (now 19) was diagnosed at the age of five after a
It is amazing to watch the interaction between these two young, fun-loving adults. Both are geniuses in their own way. One is an artist. The other, a computer whiz. And they both share a fantastic camaraderie. They have a special connection and enjoy spending time with each other. They’re both blessed with a sense
Note: While the term Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is specific to the education system in the UK, the following information is valuable for any special education program. The transition to secondary school can be a challenging time for any parent, and there are a number of additional considerations for the transition from primary to
By Caroline Lee Many children with autism spectrum disorder need assistance with their listening, language, and whole-word reading skills. The book, Targeting Language Delays: IEP Goals & Activities for Students with Developmental Challenges, written by Speech-Language Pathologist Caroline Lee, sequentially teaches these vital skills using more than 100 goals and activities that can be used
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