Autism is also referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the symptoms in one person may differ from one person to another. Autistic children may experience difficulty communicating with others, stress in unfamiliar situations, difficulty in comprehending information, and other problems.
It can evoke cognitive, social, and behavioral issues in the children and can remain throughout their lives. Difficulty in communicating is one of the most apparent symptoms. However, Play Based Speech Therapy can help children enhance their communication skills, which are based on a variety of therapeutic playful activities. Here, we will discuss the role of these therapies for children with Autism, enabling them to communicate in their daily lives.
What Are The Symptoms Of Autism In Children?
When a child is autistic, you may experience the following signs in their behavior:
- They often avoid making eye contact with others.
- Sometimes, they don’t respond to their names.
- Repetitive movements are also one of the apparent signs of Autism.
- They often stick to their routine and find it difficult to change it.
- Least response, or lack of interest in others.
- They might keep repeating the same phrase every now and then.
- Trouble in making conversation with others.
- The development of the language is not normal. It can be delayed or completely absent.
- Impaired communication skills impact their social abilities.
- Instances of OCD are also seen in children with Autism.
- They find it difficult to express their needs or emotions.
- Language difficulty and sleep problems are some of the other effects of Autism in children.
What Are The Possible Causes Behind Autism?
The exact reason for the Autism is not known yet. However, scientists believe that genetics and environmental factors can promote this condition. Consequently, it is equally important to understand the factors that don’t cause Autism. Sometimes, it may run in different family members of the same family. If you think bad parenting can cause it, or you have any guilt about the same, you need to get rid of this misconception.
Autism is not caused by:
- Bad parenting.
- Vaccinations (MMR Vaccine).
- Poor diet.
- Contagious infections.
Is Autism In Children A Disease or Illness?
No! Autism is not an illness. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which includes a set of symptoms that interfere with an individual’s daily life functioning. The exact reason behind the ASD is unknown. However, the researchers and scientists believe that a combination of genetic and environmental factors can cause this condition. Contrarily, a disease or illness is a medical condition that has its identifiable causes.
Is Autism Treatment Possible In Childhood?
There is no specific cure for autism spectrum disorder, and there is no medicine to treat it. However, special therapies or interventions can help such kids develop skills and coping strategies to deal with the hardships related to this condition and improve their quality of life. Play-based activities can play a crucial role in improving the speech and language development of autistic children.
How Does Play-Based Speech Therapy Help In Autism?
Children with Autism often experience difficulty communicating with others and find it hard to make meaningful conversations. Playful speech therapy not only helps them learn how to communicate but also helps them break barriers and lets them comprehend and perceive the whole situation differently.
While traditional speech therapies for Autism feels like chore, a playful therapeutic activity on the other hand can engage children more and ensure the efficacy of the treatment process. These methods resonate with the unique or specific needs of the children based on their interest can make them learn speaking and communicating with joy and ease. We will now discuss the playful speech therapy activities in the next section.
Social Interaction and Role Play
Role play is one of the most effective therapies for the child with impaired communication skills. In this method, an imaginary scenario is created wherein, they need to make conversations with others. For instance, it can be a grocery setup wherein, they can practice real-life communication skills in a safe and controlled environment. When they master this piece of conversation, they can implement it in the real life scenarios as well.
Plays Involving Animal Sounds and Noises
Research has shown that children with ASD love animals. Those who often don’t respond to others respond better to the animal sounds. These sounds often excite them. You might have noticed them reacting to these sounds. You can translate this information into action by using animal toys and mimicking them. This activity is highly effective for non-verbal children with ASD. They also try to mimic their sounds once their curiosity is knocked.
Playful Learning Of The Essential Words
Children with speech difficulty due to Autism need to learn a few important words that can help in their daily lives. The list may include help, stop, more, etc. Moreover, they also find it hard to use the known words in an unfamiliar situation. Therefore, you can also teach them to use these words in unfamiliar situations. You need to create different scenarios wherein these words come naturally.
Favourite Toys and Gestures
Toys are loved by all children, and therefore, they can be used as an effective tool to engage children in speech therapy. It can turn playtime into a speech-practicing opportunity. Firstly, you need to identify your child’s favorite toys. It can be a building block, an animal, or any fictional superhero. Now, you need to place the toy out of their reach. Thereafter, you can encourage your children to gesture towards it or use words like the name of the toy or “Please” in order to get that.
Positive Reinforcement Of The Speech Training
The positive reinforcement of the therapies can play a pivotal role in improving speech among children with mild to moderate Autism. They respond to various speech therapy exercises. Every time they show a sign of improvement, you should encourage them by offering a desirable reward. The reward must be likable by the children so that they are driven to improve.
Reading Interactive Stories With Your Child
Storytelling is one of the best ways of engaging autistic children, as it can open a new world of imagination, interaction, and expression for them. It is a dynamic activity that can pull their attention and make them tap into their curiosity. Thus, they tend to communicate, ask questions, or give opinions. You may also encourage them to communicate by asking questions related to the plot, characters, or events. Besides, facial expressions while narrating the story are also important. If you are reading a storybook, make sure it has vivid pictures and engaging illustrations to hold the child’s attention.
What is the Role of Speech Therapist in Autism Treatment?
Role of Speech Therapist in Autism Treatment is that they can help in improving speech and other crucial aspects of communication through joyful and engaging interventions.
Furthermore, they can enhance communication in different real-life setups to simplify day-to-day life. The earlier an intervention is made, the better results can be obtained through it. The therapists are termed as speech-language pathologist.
Ending Words!
The post highlights the role that play-based speech therapy plays in the improvement of the impaired communication or language difficulties in the autistic kids. Despite the fact that it is not possible to completely override the autism spectrum disorder. However, creating a joyable, safe and playful environment can bridge the gap between the verbal and non-verbal interactions.
Related Post: Types of Therapies for Treating Autism in Adults
