Is speech therapy helpful for children with autism?
Speech difficulties are more common in children with Autism, we discuss whether speech therapy is useful in combating communication issues in children with Autism.
Is speech therapy helpful for children with autism
Some children with autism struggle with communication. This can present itself in many ways, for example,
- No speech or limited speech
- Difficulty making or maintaining eye contact
- Echolalia (repeating words, but not with understanding)
- Understanding feelings and behaviour
- Interacting with other people
Speech and language therapy can be useful for suggesting and providing tools and strategies to help your child to communicate. Here are some suggestions that a speech and language therapist (SALT) might be able to provide:
Discussion with your child’s education team
A SALT can speak to your child’s nursery or school on the best strategies to help your child communicate out with the home. They can provide them with the following suggestions and aids in the education setting, as well as you at home.
Encouraging speech through roleplay
A SALT will encourage speech through roleplay at home and at nursery or school. They can provide ideas in terms of what games or toys you can play with to help encourage your child to communicate.
Encouraging speech through song
Similarly, SALTs often advise to encourage speech through songs. Some SALTs might have group sessions where you can play and sing with your child and other children who have communication difficulties. The repetitiveness and enjoyment of singing can help to promote speech.
Providing an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device
SALTs often have funding and access to different AAC devices and programs. These can be costly so support accessing one can be extremely helpful. These devices can be life-changing for children with communication difficulties.
Picture Exchange Symbols (PECS)
Similarly, SALTS have access to PECs that you can use at nursery/school and home. Often these aids come with a cost, so having free access to them is great. They can advise how best to use them and in what situations they are most beneficial.
Intensive Interaction for more effective communication
SALTs can teach intensive interaction. This is a fun method, where you find something that your child likes doing and mirror their movements to interact with them. With this method, the person communicating with your child works on being the better communicating partner and finding a way to help communication.
Teaching Makaton as an alternative communication method
Lots of SALT know and have access to Makaton supplies, tools and classes. Makaton uses symbols and signs to aid communication and is much simpler and easier to use than British Sign Language.
Supporting with diagnosis to establish the root cause
Finally, a SALT can help provide evidence and support for an autism diagnosis, if your child does not have one. This can be invaluable in ensuring that your child and you receive all the support that you need.
