Learning that your child has been diagnosed with autism can be hard news to digest. A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) should not be taken lightly, but it is important to remember that experts and professionals spend their careers studying how to improve the development of children with ASD. So it can be comforting to know that many children with autism spectrum disorder go on to lead very full lives and independent.
When it comes to helping your child with autism learn to speak, it is important to find a trusted expert to work with him or her. It should be someone your son or daughter feels comfortable with and who has enough patience and experience to help your child expand their language skills.
How does autism affect speech?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be defined as a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges in social interaction, speech, and nonverbal communication, in addition to restricted or repetitive behaviors. It is important to remember that even if your son or daughter is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, your symptoms and abilities may change over time.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Does Not Cause Speech Delay. So it's important to note that while speech delay is common in children with autism, it's also common in children who don't have autism. Typical children will respond to social cues and reinforcement that encourage organic language development. If these cues do not elicit a response from the child, it may be indicative of barriers in social comunication common in children with ASD. Many people with ASD have normal intelligence, while many others experience mild or severe intellectual delays.
When to worry because a child does not speak?
If your child has not begun to speak, or has regressed in understanding or articulation of speech, it is essential that you inform your pediatrician. Most children can speak, or at least speak a few words before their first birthday. But it is also true that many healthy children do not begin to speak until after 18 months of age. Usually, babies say their first word between 10 and 14 months.
If you suspect that your son or daughter has a delay in speech development, it is important that you inform the pediatrician of the boy or girl so that he or she can assess their language development. However, if your son or daughter is autistic, the question of what age they should speak becomes complicated. It's hard to answer because autism spectrum disorder varies in severity with each child, there is no hard and fast rule to fall back on.
It is not uncommon for children with ASD to begin to develop speech in the same way as typical children. Also it is normal for them to regress in understanding speech and language around the age of two. Children with autism spectrum disorder may have difficulty connecting the meaning of words with other similar words, as well as communicating with adults or other children. Affected children may have difficulty using and understanding nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, and body language. In general, social interactions are not easy for children with ASD.
How can we help a child with autism learn to speak?
If your child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, you should focus on their abilities and strengths. This is important for setting realistic goals for both the child and yourself. Parents are often so preoccupied with what their children can't do that they miss out on what they can do. Appreciating and celebrating your small victories is very important to keep you moving forward.. Encouraging him to imitate what you say or ask for his favorite objects or what he wants to get can be good strategies.
Some children never speak using their mouths, but they can learn to communicate using sign language, pictures, or through electronic devices. These methods of communication are just as valid as verbal language and can help non-verbal people function in their world. So if your child is non-verbal, it is vital not to discredit other forms of communication. Keeping an open mind is the most important thing.