What Does Speech and Language Therapy Do for Autistic Children?
Speech and language therapy can support autistic children in many different ways, depending on how they communicate, what they find difficult and what is important to them and their family.
For one child, support might focus on helping them communicate their wants and needs more easily. Another child might use lots of spoken language but need help understanding longer sentences and more abstract language, or having back and forth conversations with family and friends. Some children may communicate using a combination of speech, gestures, signs, pictures or a communication device, and therapy would focus on developing these alternative communication methods alongside their spoken language.
There is no single type of speech therapy for autism because autistic children are not all the same.
Good support starts by understanding the individual child, recognising the ways they already communicate and helping communication become easier, more successful and more enjoyable.
Is speech and language therapy trying to make an autistic child communicate differently?
It shouldn’t be.
At All Join In, speech and language therapy for autistic children is neurodiversity affirming. This means recognising autistic ways of communicating as equally valid rather than trying to make a child appear less autistic or fit into neurotypical expectations.
The aim is not to teach a child that their natural way of communicating is wrong but help give them more ways to get their message across, understand what other people are communicating and take part in interactions more successfully and confidently when they choose to.
This may involve spoken language, but speech is only one form of communication.
What can speech and language therapy help with?
The areas a Speech and Language Therapist looks at will depend on the child.
Support may include helping a child to:
communicate wants, needs, choices and opinions
develop their understanding of language
learn and use new words and sentences
communicate enjoyment and share interests with other people
understand language used at nursery or school
develop ways to communicate when spoken language is difficult
use visual support, signs, pictures or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
develop language skills for learning and relationships.
Some autistic children use few or no spoken words. Others may have a large vocabulary but find it harder to use their language flexibly or communicate what they need in particular situations.
An assessment can help identify what is already working well and where additional support might make everyday communication easier.
If you are wondering more generally whether professional support might be helpful, our guide When Should a Child See a Speech and Language Therapist? looks at some of the different reasons families seek advice.
Does my child need to be talking for speech therapy to help?
No, as communication is much broader than speech.
Children can communicate through gestures, facial expressions, body movements, sounds, signs, pictures, writing and communication devices as well as spoken words.
For a child who is minimally speaking or not currently using speech as their main way of communicating, a Speech and Language Therapist may help develop other reliable ways for them to express themselves.
This can include AAC, which stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. AAC might involve a paper communication board or book, symbols, signs or an app on a tablet.
Using another form of communication does not mean that spoken language has to be abandoned. The aim is to make sure the child has effective ways to communicate now and we know that many children who learn to use AAC also see gains in their spoken language.
What does therapy look like for younger autistic children?
For younger children, therapy may be very play-based.
Rather than sitting at a table working through flashcards, a therapist might follow the child’s interests and join them in activities they already enjoy.
This could involve copying what the child is doing, responding to their sounds or movements, joining in with a favourite game or introducing simple language during an activity they find motivating.
The child does not need to be repeatedly asked questions or told to say particular words.
Parents are also an important part of therapy. Parent coaching can help families recognise their child’s communication attempts and learn ways of responding that can be used naturally during play, mealtimes, getting dressed, bath time or other everyday routines.
If your main concern is that your toddler is not yet using many spoken words, you may also find When Should I Be Concerned About My Toddler’s Speech? useful.
What about autistic children at school?
Speech and language needs can change as children grow.
At school, children are expected to understand increasingly complicated language, learn new vocabulary, follow instructions, explain their ideas and use language in social situations.
A Speech and Language Therapist can work with the child, family and education staff to identify where communication is becoming difficult.
Sometimes the most useful changes are not about asking the child to change at all. The therapist may recommend visual support, changes to the way instructions are given, extra processing time or adjustments to the environment so that communication is easier to access. Working with the adults around the child is therefore an important part of speech and language therapy.
How much speech therapy does an autistic child need?
There is no set number of sessions or hours that is right for every autistic child.
Parents sometimes come across recommendations for intensive speech therapy for autism, but the amount and type of support should be based on the individual child rather than a standard programme.
Some children may benefit from a period of regular 1:1 therapy. For others, parent coaching, staff training or making changes within home and school may be more appropriate.
Targets should be meaningful for the child and family, and progress should be reviewed so that therapy can be adjusted when necessary.
Can speech and language therapy cure autism?
No. Autism is not an illness that speech and language therapy is trying to cure, it is a way of being and experiencing the world. Also, many autistic children do not need speech and language difficulties or need speech and language therapy.
However, when autistic children do need it, speech and language therapy can support their communication, help reduce barriers they experience and give the people around them a better understanding of how to support successful and enjoyable communication.
The aim should be to work with the child’s strengths and communication preferences, rather than trying to make them communicate in a particular way simply because it is considered more typical.
Looking for speech and language therapy for an autistic child in Bristol?
All Join In provides speech and language therapy for autistic children in Bristol and the surrounding areas.
A formal autism diagnosis is not required for your child to benefit from support.
Anna and her associates offer assessment, parent coaching and 1:1 therapy, and can work with children at home, nursery or school depending on their needs.
If you are searching for private speech and language therapy for autism, an initial assessment can help identify your child’s communication strengths, what they may be finding difficult and what type of support would be most appropriate.
You can also find out more about children’s speech and language therapy in Bristol or contact All Join In to discuss whether support might be helpful for your child.