The world has changed in ages, yet several things are the same. The need to speak freely and express thoughts, emotions, and feelings is one of them. The role of communication goes much beyond this, and probably that’s why it’s one of the first skills taught to children. However, a lot is impacted if the child can not communicate effectively. There can be several reasons contributing to it, and today, with this post, we will talk about one of them- Autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorder impacts several aspects of an individual, including their communication skills. The good thing is that a child with Autism can show symptoms as early as 12-18 months. Despite being incurable, this condition can be managed with the right interventions like Applied Behavior Analysis. You can access ABA therapy almost anywhere, from Denver to L.A., and take advantage of an evidence-based program for your child.
However, before understanding any interventions and treatments, let us learn about communication challenges with autism. In this post, we will walk you through the impact of Autism on one’s ability to communicate and how to find a way out.
How Does Autism Affect Communication?
Communication. It can include a blend of speech, language, gestures, social cues, and facial expressions. It can be spoken or non-verbal. A child with autism can have trouble connecting with their peers. They might even have a different way of expressing their emotions. However, things are not the same for everyone with Autism.
Social and intellectual development can impact one’s ability to communicate. Some might communicate excellently, but others can face hindrances in certain areas. The range of these obstructions can differ for every individual. Some children might speak excellently with great vocabulary while others can find it hard to understand the sound of a sentence. Regardless of these, Autism can make it hard for a child to communicate even with others their age.
What Are the Kinds of Communication Difficulties in Autism?
Children with Autism can face several forms of language difficulties. This can include echolalia (repetition of certain phrases or words), talking with a flat tone, speech delays, or trouble understanding figurative statements. Fortunately, the Autism therapy services can help. Here are the kinds of communication difficulties. Let us learn about this in detail:
Understanding Facial Expressions
It is common among autistic children to struggle to understand facial expressions. They can face issues in interpreting the emotions other individuals convey using cues, such as a smile and raised eyebrows. They might only look at just one feature instead of the overall picture. They may not notice the subtle expressions at all. They often face trouble learning body language. Understanding these expressions plays a part in social life and thus needs early intervention such as ABA therapy.
Difficulties in Expressive Languages
It is normal for children with Autism to face difficulties in understanding expressive languages. This means they won’t be able to use their speech to express their thoughts and needs. Other troubles can include vocabulary restrictions, sentence structure problems, or starting a conversation. This can result due to brain differences or issues with sensory processing.
Difficulties in Receptive Languages
The other communication issue that children with Autism often face is difficulty in receptive language. This issue refers to the troubles in understanding what’s spoken to them. It can appear that they don’t follow instructions or listen. Fortunately, this is not a hearing problem, though it can look like one. Use simple and clear language, visual aids, and direct eye contact to communicate with them.
Non-Verbal Autism
Non-speaking Autism means that the child with it does not speak. It can also mean that they can speak only a few words to express themselves. The term non-verbal can also be used to describe individuals who particularly use gestures to communicate over words. However, it doesn’t mean that they can not communicate at all.
Additionally, children with Autism can show these patterns:
Rigid Language
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder can often say things that may not appear to make any logical sense. This can include using repetitive words, interpreting words literally, showing inflexibility in communication, being strict about grammatical notions, and more. In some children, you might even talk in a robot-kind tone, a sing-song voice, or a high-pitched tone.
Limited Interests
Some children with Autism are able to speak up openly about certain topics, which hold their interest. However, the entire communication on that topic is often one-sided talking. Even if they have to talk about the same thing, they won’t be able to communicate in a two-way conversation format.
Uneven Development of Language
Several children with Autism can show some, yet limited speaking abilities. For example, the child might be able to read certain words at an early age of five. However, despite being able to read it, they might not understand it properly. Some might not even be seen responding to their own names.
Applied Behavior Analysis for Effective Communication
Applied behavior analysis, or ABA, offers a promising outcome for children with Autism. It works with a focus on understanding certain behaviors in them. It uses individualized assessments and interventions that suit every child’s unique needs. As a part of Autism therapy services, even the child’s communication skills are put into evaluation. Following that, behavior analysts use several techniques to develop a child's communication skills.
Applied Behavior Analysis aims at walking children through ways they can communicate. Functional Communication Training is one of them. It offers more appropriate communication ways over disruptive ways to express themselves. Additionally, here are some other techniques that behavior analysts can use with ABA therapy:
Communication Board: A tool including images and signs to let non-autistic kids express themselves.
Picture Exchange Communication Systems: A method using visual images for communication purposes.
Sign Language: Another way to help children communicate their needs and demands.
Speech Generating Devices: These include using pictures and symbols to help children communicate.
Conclusion
Communication skills are a part of a child’s major milestones and their social and emotional growth. Autism, a developmental disorder, can hinder and bring major challenges to these skills. This blog post helped you learn the relationship between Autism and communication disorders. You have learned that every child with Autism can have different symptoms. In terms of communication delays, children can face trouble understanding facial expressions. They might show rigid language, limited interests, uneven development, or not speak.
Fortunately, there is a way out, and in this post, we have walked you through that. Applied Behavior Analysis helps understand and evaluate a child’s communication delays. At BehaviorSpan, we have a team of certified behavior analysts. We use several strategies to assist a child with their communication challenges. From boards to sign language, we use every technique that suits their communication development needs. We work to provide a child with an individualized approach so that we can cater to their specific needs.
You can reach us for ABA therapy in Denver and be sure of a promising outcome for your child’s development needs. We offer a one-to-one approach, intensive, and center-based learning. If you wish to learn more, reach us today.
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