Children with autism spectrum
disorders (ASDs) have difficulty using words to express their wants,
needs, thoughts, and feelings. Children with ASD, the same as all
children, have a lot to say - they just don't know how. In order
for us to effectively communicate, we need skill in multiple areas,
including verbal and non-verbal areas. Speech and language therapy
assists individuals with ASD to increase their independence through
improved functional communication within the following:
Verbal communication includes
the ability to understand spoken words and ideas as well as the
ability to express ideas.
Nonverbal communication
can include the ability to socialize, relate, to others and empathize
or have a Theory
of Mind, the ability to use language in a social setting (such
as knowing what is appropriate to say where and when to say it),
conversational skills, play skills, and paralinguistic communication
(facial expression, body language, tone and prosody of voice).
Addressing these concerns
using consistent therapeutic approaches is the task that we strive
to fulfill. Individuals participating in speech and language therapy
will attend for a specific period of time to supplement services
they are currently receiving.
Communication goals might
include the following:
Developing communication strategies
Developing a communication system
Empowering parents and caregivers
Communicating in play or daily routines
Developing play skills
Communicating with peers
Reading and responding to social cues
Supporting generalization of communication
skills across environments.
Developing social strategies
Interventions might include the use of
the following:
Communication systems (object or symbol)
or Picture Exchange Communication Systems(PECS)
Communicative temptations
Play therapy
Scaffolding
Social stories
Consultation with parents, teachers
and therapists from other disciplines
