Children with autism spectrum disorder can find it hard to communicate with other people. They may also have difficulty in areas of non-verbal communication.
They might be slow to develop language, have no language at all or have significant difficulties in understanding or using spoken language.
Some children with ASD may develop good speech but, can sometimes have difficulties knowing how and when to use language to communicate with other people.
Early communication skills overlap with social interaction skills. Sometimes a child with ASD might only communicate to ask for something rather than for social interaction. Some children might communicate to show their interest in things or people.
Children with autism spectrum disorder sometimes do not know how to use language in the same way as typically developing children.
HOW TO HELP DEVELOP EARLY COMMUNICATION
Interactive play- involving two participants. For example rough and tumble.
Turn taking activities
This should be motivating for the child. For example turn taking games like rolling a car down a ramp. It can be helpful to say ‘My turn, your turn or ‘Mummys turn.
Adapting the environment to encourage communication.
Keeping favourite toys in a lock cupboard and stick pictures of the toys on the cupboard. Teach the child to bring you the picture of the thing he wants.
Developing language
Talk to the child in clear speech, stress the main words. Make your voice expressive and interesting. Get story books that have repetitive phrases.
Play games that enable you use the same word or phrase. For example, rolling a ball to each other saying ‘ready, steady…….. go. With time let the child say the last word.
Use motivating toys and objects by following the child lead.
I have tried this and it works for me. I wish you well in your journey with autism.
Thank you all for taking the time to read.
Adeola Thompson.
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