An approach to build communication skills in children with Autism

The goal of any intervention is to improve communication, language impairments and modify behaviors in individuals. People with autism spectrum disorder face major problems with speech and nonverbal communication. For autism, speech therapy is a part of treatment which addresses a range of communication problems in individuals.

Autism is linked with a wide range of traits which includes:

●        Repetitive behavior and activities

●        Resistance to sudden changes

●        Unusual responses to touch or a hug

●        Failure to interact

For better outcome, improvement in social communication is necessary to help individuals develop relationships, function effectively, and participate actively in life. Autism Connect is a non-profitable support provider for autism in collaboration with professionals and therapists for strategizing and implementing effective treatment plans.

Common speech and communication problems people with autism

People with autism have trouble producing sounds/words to communicate effectively with others. Their language is hard to recognize and may have one or more of the below-mentioned communication challenges:

●        Maintaining eye contact and understanding gesture

●      Trouble in understanding the meaning of words

●        Difficulty in memorization

●        Echolalia or repeating of words or sentences

●        Inability to carry a two-way communication

To triumph over these challenges, individuals with autism must learn how to speak in order to communicate and hold a conversation. Speech therapy for autism includes tuning both verbal and nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and tone of voice.

Speech therapy in the treatment of autism

Speech therapists are specialized in resolving language issues and speech disorders in individuals with autism. With early screening and detection, they assess the best way to improve communication skills. For autism, speech therapy techniques include:

●        Using picture boards with words, to help a child learn and speak words

●        Using sounds to expand and compress speech reverberations

●        Oral motor exercises such as lips and facial massage to improve muscle tone. 

●        Teaches the correct placement of the tongue and oral structures to produce better pronunciation.

 Benefits of speech therapy for autism

The goal of speech therapy for autism is to help individuals with autism:

●        To articulate words

●        Communicate verbally/nonverbally

●        Understanding what the person wants to convey through gesture

●        Initiate prompt two-way communication

●        Know when to say ‘please’, ‘sorry’, ‘thank you’, ‘good morning, etc.

●        Exchange ideas

●        Enjoy playing and interacting with others

Early identification and speech therapy intervention, improve communication skills and spoken language. To find a registered speech-language therapist in your area, visit  here.