Let’s Talk: Autism & Speech Therapy
What is Autism?
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can cause restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviour and difficulties with social communication.
It is also known as ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder’ because Autism is a spectrum! The characteristics are varied in each individual, meaning each person on the autism spectrum has…
• Different strengths & weaknesses
• Different levels of severity
• Different developmental paths
Did you know…communication challenges are a central feature of autism!
One of the key hallmarks of Autism is difficulties with communication and social interaction. Children and adults on the spectrum can have…
– Limited verbal expression
– Difficulty learning language
– Difficulty understanding spoken language (i.e. trouble following instructions, difficulty answering questions appropriately, trouble following conversation)
– Poor social communication skills (i.e. poor topic maintenance, difficulty taking turns, trouble understanding social norms)
– Difficulty interpreting figurative language (e.g. jokes and idioms)
– Trouble initiating or maintaining a conversation
– Difficulty making or maintaining friendships
These difficulties necessitate that speech therapy plays a central role in the management of Autism.
How does speech therapy help?
A speech therapist can help with…
– Enhancing non-verbal communication skills
An estimated 25-35% of children with autism are minimally verbal or remain nonverbal (Rose et. al., 2016). For individuals who remain minimally verbal or have no verbal expression, a speech therapist can help by facilitating the use of Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) such as gestured language orthe use of various communication devices.
– Building verbal expression, social skills, and language proficiency
Speech therapy can address the specific areas of language that are difficult for an individual. A speech therapist can also help to build verbal expression for individuals who are experiencing difficulty expressing themselves verbally.
– Reducing behavioural challenges associated with communication difficulties
Individuals on the autism spectrum may present with behavioural difficulties due to a myriad of reasons – one of them being related to communication. For instance, a child who has difficulty expressing himself or herself can develop behavioural challenges as a result of communication frustration. On the other hand, challenging behaviour may arise from difficulties with certain pragmatic skills such as poor turn-taking, difficulty making requests, or a limited understanding of social norms. Speech therapy can address the communication difficulties that sometimes cause difficult behaviour.
How early can my child start speech therapy?
As soon as you identify a concern!
Early intervention is crucial in supporting children with Autism — even before a formal diagnosis. Early intervention (typically before the age of 3) will provide targeted support during critical years of brain development to maximise a child’s potential and overall well-being in later years of life.
To enquire about our Speech Therapy Services contact us:
Phone/WhatsApp: 0739418053
Email: megan.auby@hotmail.co.za
Pearl Donzwa
Speech-Language Therapist
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Autism spectrum disorder. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Ed., 50-59.
Council, K., Dixon, A., Ransom, T., Romanoski, G., Spann, E., Louw, B., & Sears, J. A. (2022). Autism toolkit: Caregivers guide to autism. Vanderbilt Consortium LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities).
Rose, V., Trembath, D., Keen, D., & Paynter, J. (2016). The proportion of minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder in a community-based early intervention programme. Journal of intellectual disability research: JIDR, 60(5), 464–477. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12284
