If you suspect your child may be autistic, you may have concerns and questions about your child’s development and future. Here are five common concerns that parents may have, along with information and resources to help address them:
1. Communication skills
Concern: My child is not speaking. Will he ever be able to communicate with us?
Our Perspective: For some autistic children, speech and language skills can develop later, slower, out of order, or never seem to reach the level of their peers. This can be difficult for parents who are expecting their child’s language to progress in the typical way, and/or do not feel equipped to understand what their child is communicating when they do not use words to speak.
Speech therapists help families by showing them that their child is always communicating with them, whether it be through their vocalizations, verbalizations, actions, or phrases they learned from a TV or YouTube program.
In addition to helping develop verbal language, your speech therapist may help your child to learn and use a new form of communication. This may be through sign language, gestures, visual aids, or through the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices (AAC).
While autistic children may have challenges that make speech and language harder to acquire, with the right support and interventions, your speech therapist will help you to understand what your child is communicating (without words) while providing a new way to communicate efficiently.
2. Will my child have trouble developing social skills?
Concern: My child doesn’t like to play with others or us. I’m worried about how this could affect her ability to make and maintain friendships.
Our Perspective: A difference in social communication (the way an individual interacts with others) is always the case with autistic children. It may be very subtle and difficult to perceive or it may be very obvious. It is important for families, educators, and the general public to see that autistic children have preferences that should be respected, but that it does not mean that they should not have the same opportunities to have deep connections with others. A speech therapist will help you “work in” with your child and their unique way of experiencing the world to create enriching and meaningful interactions.
“It is very natural for parents to have concerns about their child’s development and future, but the good news is that with the right treatment, barriers can be overcome and your child can improve their social and communication skills. Building a team of evidence-based healthcare professionals will help you give your child the best possible start in life.”
3. Concerns around Education and Learning
Concern: Autistic children may require special education services and accommodations in order to succeed in school.
Our Perspective: It’s important to consider your child’s education and learning needs. A speech therapist can collaborate closely with your child’s school to ensure that they receive the necessary support for their academic journey. By helping to implement tailored strategies and accommodations, we strive to create an inclusive learning environment where your child can thrive and reach their full potential.
4. Will they struggle with behavioural challenges?
Concern: Behavioural challenges, such as tantrums or aggression, are another common concern for parents of children with autism.
Our Perspective: At times, autistic children may face behavioural challenges that can be overwhelming for both them and their families. A speech therapist can work with you to understand the underlying causes of your child’s behaviours and develop strategies to address them. By employing evidence-based interventions, we help your child navigate their emotions, enhance their self-regulation skills, and find more adaptive ways to express themselves. We work closely with you to provide guidance and support, empowering you with the tools to promote positive behavioural changes and foster a harmonious family environment.
5. Oversensitivity to sounds or bright lights
Concern: Finally, a common concern for parents of autistic children is sensory processing issues. Autistic children may be sensitive to certain sensory inputs, such as loud noises or bright lights, or may have difficulty processing sensory information.
Our Perspective: Sensory processing challenges can significantly impact an autistic child’s daily life, however speech therapy can be part of the solution in addressing these issues by incorporating sensory activities into therapy sessions and teaching your child coping strategies. By carefully designing interventions that gradually expose your child to sensory stimuli, we help them develop coping strategies and gradually reduce sensitivities. Through targeted therapy, we aim to improve your child’s sensory integration and regulation, enabling them to navigate their environment more comfortably and engage in activities that were previously challenging.
Conclusion
Overall, it is very natural for parents to have concerns about their child’s development and future, but the good news is that with the right treatment, barriers can be overcome and your child can improve their social and communication skills. Building a team of evidence-based healthcare professionals will help you give your child the best possible start in life.
The specific approach to speech therapy for autistic children will depend on the child’s individual needs and goals. A qualified speech-language pathologist will work with the child and their family to develop a personalized treatment plan that is tailored to their specific needs and goals. If you are looking for some support for your autistic child and have additional questions, click here to connect with one of our Speech-Language Pathologists for a free consultation today!