Children living with ASD can show symptoms in the first six to eighteen months of their lives. Often, these symptoms include difficulty communicating, expressing needs, and understanding the world around them. Some children on the autism spectrum may not speak at all, while others have difficulty articulating language. Many children living with autism struggle to understand body language. They may not know how to read facial expressions or express their feelings. These communication struggles can be challenging for both children and their parents. Today, there are many tools like speech therapy to help children with autism communicate.
If your child is struggling with communication or you suspect your child is living with undiagnosed ASD, reach out to our Camp Worth team by calling 855.915.2545 or completing our online form today. We specialize in speech therapy for children with autism, and we can help with common communication struggles for children with autism.
Early Signs of Communication Issues for Children with Autism
Childhood development is marked by doctors and therapists by milestones. These milestones set a standard for physical, cognitive, and emotional growth in a child’s first years of life. Pediatricians track milestones to detect developmental challenges like autism. Common milestones include:
- At nine months, children should reach for items they want, babble, and smile.
- At twelve months, children should respond to their name and say one or two words.
- At eighteen months, children should use at least ten words and play pretend with toys or animals.
- At twenty-four months, children should show interest in other children and use at least fifty words in simple statements.
These are just a few of the milestones doctors and therapists look for when making an autism diagnosis. These and other signs help parents determine how best to help their child’s communication issues.
Understanding Communication Struggles for Children with Autism
Children who are living with autism experience a different world than the rest of us. Some children have trouble speaking because the muscles of their head, neck, and tongue are underdeveloped. Many have difficulty understanding the subtleties of body language. This also affects their ability to express their needs and emotions. Because these children have trouble expressing themselves, they are more prone to outbursts. For parents, outbursts can make communication issues even harder. Luckily, today there are speech therapy programs, apps, games, and more to help with communication struggles for children with autism.
Communication Tools for Children with ASD
Speech therapists will often work with children in-home or at school. They use various techniques, including physical therapy, to help children express themselves verbally. For those who do not speak, therapists will help children learn sign language. Most speech therapists working with autism will use applied behavioral analysis. Also called ABA, this method of therapy rewards good behavior. Other characteristics of ABA therapy include:
- Ignoring irritable behavior
- Practicing patience and persistence for language learning
- Creating rewards for a child’s specific interests
- Mirroring learning skills
- Interacting in language learning through play
ABA often uses a flashcard system to help children pair images with words. Today, there are many programs and apps that can help support families at home. The more children and their parents practice communication skills, the faster they will grow. An autism speech therapist, also called a pathologist, can help parents track progress and implement new tools as a child grows.
Improve Communication Skills for Children with Autism at Camp Worth
While there is no cure for autism, speech therapy can make a world of difference for kids living with ASD. If your child is having communication issues, call Camp Worth today. Our programs in Fort Worth, TX, help children and parents live happier, healthier lives. We specialize in language learning for children and adolescents. If your child needs help to learn new ways to communicate, call Camp Worth at 855.915.2545 or complete our convenient online form. Don’t let autism stop your child from expressing themselves.