ONLINE SPEECH THERAPY
Autism Spectrum Speech Therapy
Convenient & Effective Speech Therapy
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
What is autism and when can autism be diagnosed?
According to the CDC, 1 in 44 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others. Children with ASD often struggle to communicate their needs and learn new concepts and vocabulary. They may also exhibit repetitive behaviors or intense interests, such as flipping objects, repeating phrases, or excessively smelling or touching things. Additionally, they may find it challenging to adapt to different situations and changes.
Symptoms of autism usually appear before the age of 3 and can last a lifetime. These symptoms can cause difficulties in communication, social interaction, and language development. Some children show signs of autism as early as their first year, while others may develop typically at first but then regress between 18 to 24 months. Each person with autism is unique, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
SPEECH SOUND DISORDER SIGNS
Signs and symptoms of a speech sound disorder can vary based on its type and severity. Here’s what to look out for:
In Children
- Difficulty making speech sounds
- Inconsistent or incorrect pronunciation
- Struggling to be understood by others
- Frustration or reluctance to speak
Children with speech sound disorders might also:
- Have delayed language development
- Use a smaller vocabulary
- Struggle with grammar and sentence structure
In Adults
The signs can be subtler but may include:
- Trouble finding words
- Slower speaking rate
- Monotone voice
- Issues with intonation and stress patterns
Adults may also find social interactions challenging and might avoid speaking situations.
Seeking Help
If you suspect a speech sound disorder, it’s important to get a comprehensive evaluation from a speech-language pathologist. Early intervention can significantly improve speech and language skills, leading to better communication outcomes.
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER SIGNS
What are the signs that your child should be checked for autism spectrum disorder?
Recognizing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Children
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often manifests through difficulties in social communication and interaction. Here are some key signs to look out for:
- No Response to Name by 12 Months: If your child doesn’t respond to their name by their first birthday, it could be a sign of ASD.
- Lack of Pointing by 14 Months: Not pointing at objects to show interest, like an airplane flying overhead, by 14 months is another indicator.
- No Pretend Play by 18 Months: By 18 months, if your child isn’t engaging in pretend play, such as feeding a doll, it could signal ASD.
- Avoids Eye Contact and Prefers Solitude: Children with ASD often avoid eye contact and prefer to be alone.
- Difficulty Understanding and Expressing Emotions: They may struggle to understand other people’s feelings or to talk about their own.
- Delayed Speech and Language Skills: Speech and language development may be slower in children with ASD.
- Repetitive Speech Patterns: This can include echolalia, where they repeat words or phrases.
- Unrelated Answers to Questions: They might give answers that don’t relate to the questions asked.
- Upset by Minor Changes: Small changes in their environment can be very upsetting.
- Obsessive Interests: An intense focus on specific things, like the wheels of a car, is common.
- Repetitive Movements: You might notice hand flapping when excited, body rocking when anxious, or spinning in circles.
- Unusual Sensory Reactions: They may have atypical reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, looks, or textures.
It’s important to view these signs collectively rather than in isolation. Some children not on the autism spectrum may display some of these behaviors, while children on the spectrum might not exhibit all of them.
SPEECH THERAPY FOR AUTISM
How speech therapy benefits individuals with autism?
Autism is a lifelong condition that varies widely from child to child. Because of this, therapy for autism must be tailored to each child’s unique needs, taking a holistic approach. Many professionals can help individuals with autism manage their specific challenges, including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, audiologists, psychologists, and special education experts.
Speech-language therapy is crucial for those with communication difficulties, a common issue in autism. The primary goal of this therapy is to enhance functional communication skills.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) support children with autism in various ways. They work on improving skills such as joint attention, asking and answering questions, turn-taking, and seeking help. They also help children enhance their social interactions and play skills. Additionally, SLPs assist with reading and writing, and using alternative communication methods like sign language, gestures, pictures, written words, or electronic devices. They can also address food aversions or sensitivities, which are common in children with autism.
AUTISM SPEECH EVALUATION
How speech pathologists can help evaluate autism in children?
Many of the diagnostic criteria for ASD relate to difficulties in social skills and communication. Therefore, speech pathologists (SLPs) are highly experienced in treating children with ASD. They use various tools and techniques, such as standardized tests, observations, and parent/caregiver interviews, to identify communication challenges and evaluate the child’s overall communication abilities.
When evaluating or treating young children or toddlers, SLPs can accurately monitor and report on many signs of autism. This includes how a child plays, their speech and language development, sensory issues, and food preferences. By assessing these areas, SLPs help diagnose autism and create individualized treatment plans to address the child’s specific communication needs.
SLPs often collaborate with other professionals, like psychologists and occupational therapists, to provide comprehensive care for children with autism. As part of a multidisciplinary team, SLPs assist parents in identifying red flags and suggest further evaluations when necessary.
AUTISM SPEECH THERAPY TREATMENT
How speech pathologists can help autistic children learn to speak more fluently?
Understanding how children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) learn and use language is crucial. Their development and learning pace differ from their typically-developing peers. While typically-developing children focus on people and learn from their interactions, children with ASD often pay more attention to the events and objects around them.
At Speech Up, our speech pathologists collaborate with you on activities to practice at home and conduct structured sessions with your child. Our program is tailored to meet your child’s unique needs. We work together with you, your family, and your child to create a comprehensive therapy plan.
These activities may include:
- Playing simple games that encourage speech
- Modeling language through speaking, gestures, and facial expressions
- Singing songs to promote speech and sentence rhythm
- Practicing essential language skills like asking questions and greeting others
- Appropriately rewarding your child when they use language or express themselves in other ways