Key aspects of speech therapy for autistic children often include:
Enhancing Verbal Communication: Helping children to develop their spoken language skills, including vocabulary, sentence structure, and grammar.
Improving Non-Verbal Communication: Teaching the use of gestures, facial expressions, and body language to communicate effectively.
Developing Social Communication Skills: Encouraging appropriate ways to start and maintain conversations, understand social cues, and engage in interactive play.
Alternative & Augmentative Communication: Introducing and using tools such as sign language or speech-generating devices for those who are developing language or non-speaking.
Addressing Speech Sound Disorders: Working on articulation and phonological disorders to improve the clarity of speech.
Improving Pragmatic Language Skills: Teaching the practical use of language in various social contexts, including turn-taking, topic maintenance, and understanding the listener’s perspective.
Speech therapy is tailored to each child’s individual needs and often involves collaboration with parents, caregivers, and other professionals to provide comprehensive support.
How do services work
Speech therapy services are recommended based on evaluation and the child/family’s needs. Typically, sessions will be one to two times per week for 45 minutes to one hour.
How do assessments work
Speech therapy assessments for autistic children are comprehensive evaluations designed to identify their specific communication strengths and challenges. These assessments typically include:
Case History: Gathering detailed information about the child’s developmental, medical, and family history, as well as their communication abilities and any previous interventions.
Parent/Caregiver Interviews: Conducting interviews with parents or caregivers to understand their observations, concerns, and goals for their child’s communication development.
Standardized Tests: Administering standardized speech and language tests to measure various aspects of communication, such as vocabulary, sentence structure, articulation, and language comprehension.
Observations: Observing the child in different settings (e.g., at home, school, or therapy sessions) to see how they communicate in natural environments.
Speech and Language Sampling: Collecting and analyzing samples of the child’s spontaneous speech and language during play or conversation to assess their use of language in context.
Non-Verbal Communication Assessment: Evaluating the child’s use of gestures, facial expressions, interactions, and other non-verbal communication methods.
Pragmatic Language Assessment: Assessing the child’s ability to use language socially, including understanding social cues, taking turns in conversation, and using language appropriately in different contexts.
What does the first session look like?
The primary goal of the first session is to establish a positive relationship between the child, family, and the SLP while gathering essential information to create a tailored and effective therapy plan.
What will sessions look like?
Speech therapy sessions for autistic children involve engaging activities tailored to improve specific communication skills and building positive relationships. The sessions typically include play to naturally engage children, encouraging language development. Parent training and education provided throughout the session to support progress at home.