| Autism Language | | | | one hour session. If the child is older than three, |
| What is it? The goal of speech therapy is to | | | | then therapy session swill occur at school or in |
| improve all parts of communication. This includes: | | | | the therapist’s office. If the child is school |
| comprehension, expression, sound production, and | | | | age, expect that speech therapy will include |
| social use of language (1). Speech therapy may | | | | one-on-one time with the child, classroom-based |
| include sign slang and the use of picture symbols | | | | activities, and consultations between the speech |
| (2). At its best, a specific speech therapy plan is | | | | therapist and teachers and parents (2). |
| custom to the specific weaknesses of the precise | | | | The sessions should be designed to engage the |
| child (1). Unfortunately, it can be difficult to fashion | | | | child in communication. The therapist will engage |
| a child-specific, evolving, continual speech therapy | | | | the child through games and toys chosen |
| guidelines (1, 3). Autism Language | | | | specifically for the child. Several different speech |
| | | | therapy techniques and approaches can be used in |
| Thus, any speech therapy program should include | | | | a single session or throughout many sessions (see |
| practice in many different places with many | | | | below). What is the theory behind it? Children with |
| different people (2). In order for speech therapy | | | | autism not only have trouble communicating |
| to be most successful, caregivers should practice | | | | socially, but often also have problems behaving. |
| speech exercises during normal daily routines in | | | | These behavioral problems are believed to be at |
| the home, school, and community (1, 5). Speech | | | | least partially caused by the frustration associated |
| therapists can give specific examples of how best | | | | with the inability to communicate. Speech therapy |
| to incorporate speech therapy throughout a | | | | is intended to not only improve social |
| child’s day (6). | | | | communication skills, but also teach the ability to |
| What’s it like? Speech therapy sessions will | | | | use those communication skills as an alternative to |
| vary greatly depending upon the child. If the child | | | | unacceptable behavior (1). Don't let your child |
| is younger than three years old, then the speech | | | | suffer anymore! Lead your child out of his world |
| therapist will most likely come into the home for a | | | | through Autism Language program now! |