There are various ways to teach your autistic child how to communicate. In this blog, we will look at how to:
- Model language
- Imitate your child
- Give your child time to respond
- Use existing routines
- Get into their world and PLAY
- Try assistive technology and visual Tools
At What Age Do Autistic Children Start Talking?
Typically, children will begin to speak between 12 and 18 months, advancing from cooing and singular words to a broader range of sounds by 18 to 24 months. For autistic children, verbal communication usually begins around 36 months (three years old). While this is the most common time, autistic children might start speaking as late as five years old. It’s important to note that around 25-30% of children with ASD say fewer than 30 words or may not speak at all.
If your child has yet to be diagnosed with autism and exhibits delayed speech, you can take your child to a specialist such as a child psychiatrist or development pediatrician; They will look for signs of autism and offer a professional perspective.
Autistic children may begin verbal communication later in life, but you can start using communication techniques before this. Teaching your child to speak in early childhood offers encouragement and can jumpstart their progress.
Model Language
Model language for your child all day, every day. Use complete sentences full of vocabulary and descriptive words. Narrate what you are doing, what you see, and how you feel using adult grammar.
Provide language modeling without requiring or asking your child to imitate or repeat. If your child is an AAC user, then model using their device!
Build Vocabulary
When you use a wide range of vocabulary words, it gives your child the opportunity to grow their mental word bank. This can enhance social situations by familiarizing them with different words and associations.
Simplify Your Language
Along with giving your child examples of rich vocabulary and descriptive words, it’s also important to practice patience and simplicity in your conversations. Your child may be able to listen to you describing your day to them and absorb the information, but once you begin asking them questions, be simple, clear, and straightforward.
Imitate Your Child
It encourages more vocalization when you mimic your child’s sounds, inflation, and interactions. You’re showing them that their sounds and movements render a response. When imitating your child, invite them to take turns with you; you can even exaggerate your voice by emphasizing parts of a word or using high pitch endings.
Give Your Child Time to Respond
Ask fewer, shorter questions and allow longer pauses so your child can process what you have said before responding. Wait up to 10 seconds after you ask a question or model language. It can feel like a long time, but it’s well worth it.
Use Existing Routines
Natural communication builds on the routines you perform with your child every day. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel or develop complex activities.
Add more language and more interaction into your daily routines by talking through your actions aloud and using fun exclamatory words when appropriate.
Activities such as brushing teeth, bath time, mealtime, and getting dressed are perfect for practicing requesting, answering new words or phrases, following directions, and sequencing.
Get into Their World and PLAY
A child’s job is to play. Let go of the need to create an activity, play a certain way, or follow specific rules. Meet them at their level and enter their world.
Observe your child and copy how they are playing. Parallel play alongside them until they invite you to join in their game. You will be amazed at the trust and connection this builds.
Use Music, Songs, and Nursery Rhymes
The engagement and interaction you provide are far more beneficial than anything on the TV or iPad. Singing with your child allows you to pause or slow for your child to join in. You can add toys or visuals (i.e., have stuffed animals jumping on the bed for the “5 little monkeys” song).
Adapt and have fun with instruments, eye contact, and repetitive movements. You can be silly and add in funny dance moves and show your child that you’re having fun with them.
Try Assistive Technology and Visual Tools
Some autistic children prefer using devices and visuals to accompany or in place of speech. Using these kinds of tools with your child fosters communication and speech development. They allow your child to use pictures and sounds to convey emotions, requests, and thoughts to you and others.
Giving your child the space to communicate in a way they feel comfortable with can create a bridge to speaking for themselves.
Below are several assistive technologies and visual tools available online for purchase:
