Can A Child With Autism Improve Their Ability To Communicate?
If you are a parent of a child who is on the Autism Spectrum and who struggles to communicate, you may have asked yourself, “Will my child with autism ever be able to talk?” When discussing communication abilities in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is always important to note that each child diagnosed with ASD is unique, with specific skills, strengths, challenges, and differences. This is why autism is considered a spectrum, as the frequency and severity of symptoms can vary widely from case to case. For this reason, it is impossible to make general statements about children with autism and their experiences, as each child faces different obstacles and requires varying types and levels of support. One aspect of this disorder that is common among many children with ASD is challenges with communication. Autism Spectrum disorder can impact communication skills in many different ways, making speech therapy an important resource and support for children with ASD and their families.
If you have a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or are concerned about your child’s development, it is important to begin working with a speech and language pathologist as soon as possible. Thankfully, support through speech therapy is available, simply reach out to us to schedule your free introductory call today!
How Does Autism Impact Communication in Children?
Communication is a regular part of daily life, and developing effective speech and language skills is important for all children. Effective communication allows children to learn, explore the world around them, express needs, thoughts, wants, and ideas, and connect with others. Many children with ASD communicate differently from neurotypical children, with some having strong speech and language skills while others may be unable to use verbal communication at all. Challenges with language are common among children with autism, with many finding it challenging to comprehend the spoken language of others or use language to express themselves.
A child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder may:
- Communicate their needs, feelings, or thoughts using behavior instead of verbal communication
- Struggle to use language appropriately or effectively
- Find it difficult to use non-verbal communication or interpret the non-verbal cues of others
- Frequently repeat or mimic the verbal communication of others, including words or phrases they’ve heard on TV, in books, etc.
- Repeat certain words, sentences, or phrases without having an understanding of their meaning, known as echolalia
- Speak in gibberish or use made-up words
- Repeat the same word several times
- Communicate using very direct or matter-of-fact language
- Lack expression in their voice or speak in a robotic or monotone nature
- Regularly begin sentences with the same word or phrase
- Appear to speak with an accent or change their accent when communicating verbally
- Be unable to speak at all, or unable to speak when feeling overwhelmed or anxious
When it comes to non-verbal communication, a child diagnosed with autism may:
- Use physical touch to communicate, such as taking a person by the hand and leading them toward something they want
- Point or look at something they want, then shift their gaze to the person they are communicating with
- Use objects to communicate, such as placing an object in someone’s hand as a way of indicating they need help with it
- Display repetitive movements or gestures, such as clapping their hands when excited
- Not use eye contact when communicating with others
- Copy the body language and facial expressions of others
- Struggle to notice or interpret the non-verbal cues of others
These are just a few of the ways that communication can be impacted by ASD. Many children will develop strong speech and language skills over time, especially when early intervention speech therapy for autism is part of the treatment approach. If you are ready to set your child up with a specialized speech therapist, you can get started by scheduling your free introductory call today!
Signs Your Autistic Child May Improve His/Her Ability To Communicate
Parents of children diagnosed with Autism tend to eagerly anticipate the time when their child begins to communicate effectively using speech and language. Meeting certain communication goals and milestones is significant for children diagnosed with ASD, and for parents, seeing the signs that their child will begin to communicate verbally tends to be reassuring and cause for celebration. Some of the most common indicators that a child with Autism spectrum disorder will talk include:
- Increased Use of Non-Verbal Communication
- Showing Interest in Interacting with Peers
- Responding to their Name
- Imitation of the Sounds or Actions of Others
- Following Simple Directions
- Responding to Basic Questions
- Expressing Preferences (such as food, objects, locations, etc.)
- Showing Interest in Certain Activities
- Focusing on an Activity with Another Person
- Exploring Vocal Range and Volume
Identifying the signs that your child with autism spectrum disorder may be able to communicate verbally in the future requires the observation and comprehension of their distinct communication cues. Remembering that each child with ASD is unique, and has their own set of skills, interests, and challenges, progress towards verbal communication occurs at their own pace.
Helping Nonverbal Autistic Children to Communicate
When discussing how to teach children with ASD to communicate verbally, it is important to identify and play to their strengths. Children with autism have all kinds of skills, such as possessing extensive and detailed knowledge of a certain topic, using a visual learning style, having a strong memory, being direct and honest with others, and using creative thinking to problem solve, to name a few.
Speech and language pathologists use these strengths when working with a child with ASD to target expressive and receptive language skills, social communication and pragmatic language skills, articulation and fluency, and behavioral modification. Speech therapy for children with autism is typically play-based, creating opportunities to practice and engage in a safe and comfortable environment.
At Great Speech, our speech therapy services take place virtually, making it simple and easy for your child to work with one of our specialized SLPs. Many children diagnosed with autism struggle with transitions from locations or activities, often making it difficult for them to receive the support and treatment they need. By removing these barriers, online speech therapy allows the child to remain in the comfort of a familiar environment and engage with their therapist online. Virtual speech therapy for ASD has been shown to be as effective as traditional in-person speech therapy with the added benefits of convenience and accessibility.
If your child needs communication support, speech therapy is an important resource. You can connect with one of our incredible speech and language pathologists by scheduling your free introductory call today!