Autism-He is not Speaking !    Tue Apr 16, 2024

(For parental education! 3 min read - Sudha K Y) ASDBUDDY LLP (Published first in LinkedIn by Founder Sudha K Y@ASDBUDDY)                                                       

Speech is the primary issue cited by parents of ASD children when they enter a pediatrician's door at 2 years age. (There are more, however I will discuss speech alone today) "He doesnt speak doctor. What should I do for it? I want him to speak"

A good doctor would be able to identify autism at 2 years certainly. They would very likely send parents to a therapy center without delay. With the right help parents slowly rephrase the difficulty at hand - "My child does not communicate with me. I dont feel connected. Can you help us?"

YES! its possbile.

DSM states clearly that in autism the difficulty is "Social Communication and Interaction - An Ability to change ones communication to the current social situation" (not speech). Most children can produce sounds (speech) and can use simple coherent sentences (language) well when they are ready. So the issue very often is not speech nor language. It is communication and more specifically "social communication". Your help for the child should include this knowledge. Let us see HOW. COMPONENTS of "Social Communication" -> How one can help develop the same in autism step by step.

1. STEP 1 - Learning to Understand "BODY" Readiness -> Free Play/Occupational Therapy/Massages/Walks etc help in emotional and physical development. When a child has better understanding and CONTROL over how their body functions, they become more receptive and confident to learn.
2. STEP 2- - Learning to Understand "CONTEXT" in social situations -> Help Child OBSERVE more to understand more. This is the toughest challenge to be addressed. Talk to your therapist about the same. @ASDBUDDY addresses this.
3. STEP 3 - Understanding "THE UNSAID" -> Practise Non-verbal communication much more than verbal. Facial expressions/Gestures/ Prosody(rhythm) etc. Sensorially also, child feels comfortable with non-verbal communication than verbal until he is ready. Ensure your therapist prioritises the same.
4. STEP 4 - Developing NATURAL "VERBAL" communication -> VERB+NOUN is a good way to introduce verbal at home minimally. Do not expect child to speak and respond immediately. They will have to listen to the same for a while and gain confidence to speak. WAIT. If steps 1,2 and 3 have been done patiently, 4 happens automatically and contextually. A Therapist will guide parents here.
5. STEP 5 - Taking help to "IMPROVE" the communication ! -> A therapist will be able to help improve vocabulary. Pragmatics (continuity in conversation/staying on topic) will be an issue even when they start speaking. Semantics in language will need some help. Prosody too.

This is my piece for April 2024 - We celebrate Autism Awareness month by helping families improve Quality of Life. - Regards Sudha K Y - Creator ASDBUDDY App

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