3 Ways Speech Therapy Helps Children With Autism

Speech-language therapy is a widespread treatment to help individuals with speech and communication disorders. Although it is also used for speech impediments such as stutters and lisps, it is a very common treatment for children with developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This type of therapy works exceptionally well to help children understand and use spoken language correctly in social contexts.

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Each child is different, and children with ASD are no exception. These kids will each have their own strengths and weaknesses. That being said, almost all children with Autism will benefit from receiving speech therapy. Even very verbal children with high functioning autism that can form words and sentences can use speech therapy to help them avoid misunderstandings and the misuse of language. 

Establishing Functional, Spontaneous Communication

Communication often occurs spontaneously, and your child must communicate without being prompted. Speech therapy is an excellent way to help your non-verbal child develop these necessary skills. Suppose your child struggles with functional speech (i.e. they cannot talk). In that case, you can introduce various types of augmentative-alternative communication (AAC) until you find the best method to help your child. 

Different types of AAC include:

• Voice-output AAC device. A device that will play a message when your child pushes a button. These can range from as simple as a single button with a single message to as complex as a touch-screen gadget with changing buttons and folders as the child presses various buttons.
• Picture communication system. Some children find it easier to communicate using pictures. You can also use a more advanced system, such as the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).
• Sign Language. This has been demonstrated to work well with children with autism, and it has even been shown to have youngsters communicating with their mouths faster than they would if they didn’t utilize sign language.

Helping your children communicate their wants, needs, and opinions without prompts speech can help them communicate spontaneously and functionally. 

Providing Social Instruction in Various Settings throughout the Day

Social instruction is a way to help children with autism understand socially acceptable behaviours. 

Some strategies that help children develop social instruction are:

• Visual supports. Adults place reminders around the room to help kids remember expectations for different situations.
• Social stories. Books that help children learn the expected behaviour for various situations.
• Video modelling. Students watch videos that demonstrate appropriate behaviours.

Providing social instruction can help children with ASD to know how they should act in various social situations (such as at school, in group interactions or when meeting new people and peers).

Developing Other Communication Skills 

Several other communication skills can also be worked on once they make progress with spontaneous and functional communication. This includes:

• Speech and sound errors.
• Grammatical errors.
• Trouble with asking and answering questions.
• Difficulty with figurative language.

Therapy sessions can help your child with several other issues impacting their social communication skills. Speech therapists will help your child overcome all these hurdles to allow them to function at their best during all social interactions.

The Importance of Speech Therapy for Children With ASD

Speech therapists can be quite helpful in teaching an autistic child how to speak and interact with others. Your child’s therapist may work with them individually or in groups, depending on the location (school, home, office). Depending on your child’s functional level, the therapist may focus on one or all of these skills to improve your child’s:

1. Vocabulary
2. Body language.
3. Non-verbal communication and gestures.
4. Tone of voice (prosody) and rhythm.
5. Asking and answering questions.
6. Conversation skills.
7. Conceptional skills.
8. Social skills.
9. Expressive and receptive language.

It is good to do your research and work with professionals to determine your child’s symptoms so that you can select the best speech therapy methods and interventions for your child.