Speech and Language Therapy for autistic children

Book an assessment

Children’s speech and language therapy has an important role to play in the development of language and communication skills in autistic children. Formal diagnosis is not required to benefit from speech and language therapy.

All children’s speech and language therapy should strive to be neurodiversity affirming. That means we accept all neurotypes and communication styles as valid and work with a child’s strengths to help them achieve their language and communication goals in a meaningful way. Staff training and parent coaching is a very important part of speech and language therapy for autistic children to ensure their everyday communication attempts are successful and positive experiences.

  • We are committed to offering neurodiversity affirming services that work with your child’s strengths and natural ways of being. In the early years this will include parent coaching to build on enjoyable interactions and communication. We can also introduce alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) in the form of iPad apps and paper communication boards and books, and teach you how to use this at home. For school age children, we work with families and education staff to find the best ways for your child to develop their language skills for learning, self-regulation and enjoying relationships with others.

  • Speech and language therapy can support autistic children in so many ways, right through their childhood. At your assessment we will talk to you, and, if they would like to contribute, to your child to find out what your priorities are.

    Speech therapy for autism looks at both the “how” and “why” of communication. Some autistic children know lots of words such as letter names or word relating to another particular interest (this is “how” they can communicate – words), but need help to learn how to use these to communicate with others. This is where the “why” comes in – we hope children will learn to use their words, signs and pictures to communicate with us to share enjoyment and comment on things they are interested in as well as the more quickly learnt rejections and requests for things they do and don’t want.

  • Neither speech and language therapy, nor any other type of medicine or therapy, can “cure” autism. Autism is a diagnosis given when the way an a child or adult’s brain works fits a certain description (described in the DSM V or ICD 11 diagnostic criteria) . It can be referred to as their neurotype (i.e. the type of brain they have). Autism is currently considered to be a neurodivergent brain type, whereas a more standard neurotype is referred to as neurotypical. There are many other different types of neurodivergence, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia and dyslexia. It is common to meet the criteria for more than one type of neurodivergence e.g. Autism and ADHD, ADHD and dyspraxia.

    Because autism is a neurotype and not a disease to cure, speech and language therapy for autism should always aim to maximise the child’s ability to communicate their wants and needs, and to show them how they can choose to share interactions and enjoyment with others. There is evidence to show that speech and language therapy for autism can do just this.

  • This one has a simple answer – whatever your child is motivated by and interested in! We don’t recommend flashcards or learning videos because these don’t demonstrate everyday back and forth interactions, which are an essential skill for children with autism to learn. Interests we have tailored therapy to include are: Dogman, Peter Rabbit, Spidey & Friends, Thomas the Tank Engine, dinosaurs, musical instruments, noisy toys, bubbles, ball runs and more! It’s also important to be aware that lots of autistic children find toys very stimulating and actually engage with us best when we are the most interesting thing in the room e.g. when we are singing or playing back and forth games without objects or toys (people games).

  • Like your child, every course of speech and language therapy is unique. Your speech and language therapist should set targets, keep you informed and adjust their approach if needed. All the important people in your child’s life should be taught how they can help too.

  • A good place to start is imitating your child in play. This shows them that you are interested and joining in without making any demands on them to switch focus to what you want them to do. Follow what they are doing and just copy! Sometimes they will notice you and be surprised. You can also repeat any sounds they make. If they then repeat what they were doing, you can copy again and this creates a back and forth, like a conversation without words.

  • Parents are an essential part of speech and language therapy for autism. We aim to support you to help their speech and language skills to develop through enjoyable everyday activities and interactions.

  • We strive to be neurodiversity affirming in everything we do, with the underlying conviction that no way of communication and learning is wrong.

    As the parent of neurodivergent children, Anna believes that no child should grow up feeling that their way of being is wrong, and no parent should feel judged because their child is learning things in their own way. This belief underpins our whole approach to speech and language therapy and how we will support you and your child.

  • Anna is currently working with a 4 year old autistic child who is learning new phrases through sensory play, and a 7 year old who is learning how to use the past tense in games relating to his particular interest of Spidey & Friends.

  • The official register of Speech and Language Therapists in the UK can be found at www.asltip.com. Other agencies take a cut of fees, potentially driving up costs.  Wherever you find your therapist, Speech and Language Therapist is a protected title so please make sure they are registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) by searching their name at https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register.

    ‍For help in Bristol and the surrounding areas, please contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to decide if our children’s speech and language therapy services are right for you.