For families of autistic children, finding ways for their children to more effectively communicate is a top priority. It can feel like a breakthrough when your child starts to express their thoughts, wants, news, or emotions, even if it’s through nonverbal means.
Speech therapy offers that opportunity. By using a variety of methods and tools, it gives children the ability to connect with others in meaningful ways. With the right support, every child can find their voice, whether through spoken language, gestures, or communication devices, and thrive in expressing who they are.
Challenges Faced By Nonverbal Children
For nonverbal children, the challenges they face in communication can be complex, but not insurmountable. These may include:
- Misunderstanding or underestimation of their abilities
- Difficulty expressing emotions, thoughts, and needs
- Limited use of nonverbal communication methods
- Lack of access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices
These challenges can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, and anxiety, making it even more crucial for children to have alternative ways to communicate while working on verbal skills.
How Speech Therapy Helps
Research consistently shows that speech therapy can significantly improve communication skills for nonverbal children with autism. At Gersh Academy, our speech therapists use a variety of techniques to help children express themselves and engage more effectively in their environment. Here’s how:
- AAC: We provide interventions using AAC devices like the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) or voice output devices, empowering children to express themselves through nonverbal means. These tools expand social interactions and promote independence.
- Oral Motor and Verbal Techniques: For children working to develop verbal skills, our therapists use oral motor exercises, phonetic placement therapy, and verbal imitation training. These strategies are designed to gradually build spoken language ability.
- Enhancing Social Interaction: Social skills are an integral part of communication, and our speech therapists focus on improving these through joint attention activities, social stories, and video modeling. These methods help children engage meaningfully with their peers and teachers.
What We Do At Gersh Academy
At Gersh Academy, we tailor each speech therapy program to the individual needs of the child. Whether the goal is to develop verbal communication, improve nonverbal methods, or both, our therapists are committed to helping students become effective communicators. Our focus is on providing tools and strategies that work in the classroom, and across all environments.
For children who benefit from it, we integrate voice output devices, signs, and pictures into their communication plan, ensuring that each student has a reliable method of expressing themselves. Our mission is to help each child reach their full communication potential, empowering them to participate fully in both school and social activities.
By addressing these challenges, we aim to create confident, effective communicators. If you would like to learn more about our speech therapy program, reach out here.
Resources: