Speech and Language Therapy Handout for the Parents’ Post Diagnostic Information Session

Speech and Language Therapists work with all aspects of a child’s communication:

1. Understanding: language or sign or pictures 2. Expression: language or sign or pictures 3. Speech sounds 4. We also work with difficulties around Feeding Eating Drinking and Swallowing (FEDS)

Speech and Language Therapists in Autism Services also target the Triad of Impairment

When to talk, how to know whose turn it is to talk (Social Communication) Taking turns/Sharing/Making Friends/Understanding “hidden” rules (Social

Interaction) What other people are thinking and feeling (Social Imagination and

Flexibility)

Effective Communication happens when we have a mean, a reason and an opportunity to communicate. Children with ASD can have difficulties in any of

these areas, and SLTs aim to help both you and your child maximise communication potential

The SLTs in South Lee Autism Services promote the philosophy of the early communication experts, the Hanen Center, including strategies such as:

Say Less: fewer words, shorter sentences Stress: exaggerate facial expressions, gestures and actions. Repeat Go Slow: slow down your speech and actions; keep your ..expression on your face longer Show: point, action songs, pictures, gestures, facial expressions

And developing tuning in skills (outlined below):

There are 5 stages of tuning in/theory of mind development. Over time, the child needs to understand that

SLT Parents’ Post-Diagnostic Information Session Handout (Under 8 years group) – NOS/SE November 2019Brothers of Charity - Autism Services-South Lee

Understanding Questions and Language Levels

It is important to be aware of the types of questions you are asking your child (as well as the amount).

Limit your questions – try to use comments more than questions!

You can use the following tools to help your child:

Visuals are pictures or photos or videos which can help a child understand and become more independent. Visuals can be used to:

Make choices Understand what is happening today (first/then; part day schedule; calendar) Learn a skill (like make a sandwich, or brush their own teeth) Prepare for a change or new situation

Social Stories are used to explain social behaviours or situations which are sometimes difficult for children with ASD to understand, as they don’t know what to do. They can anticipate what might happen, or review something which did happen. The social story should be visually represented in a mode that the child can most readily understand (such as written words, line drawings, photos or comic strip form.) The goal of a story should never be to change the individual’s behaviour, but an individual’s improved understanding of events and expectations may lead to change in behaviour. Repetitious reading of the story, when the child is calm, is what leads to the success of the strategy.

Visuals for Communication – all of these systems reduce children’s frustration, promote independence, do NOT delay speech development (and can actually help develop speech)

Communication Boards can help an individual to understand language, make requests, comment, share emotions, refuse, etc.

Lámh is a simplified sign language which is used with speech to help an individual understand and request, make comments, and share emotions

PECS can help an individual to make requests

If you want to attend private speech and language therapy make sure they are registered with CORU – this is our regulating body who ensures we maintain a certain standard of practice. You can check the CORU register yourself to see if a therapist you are considering is registered www/coru.ie

References and Websites

ASD South Lee blog: www.asdsouthlee.com Elklan: www.elklan.co.uk Hanen: www.hanen.org Information about Communication boards: https://theautismhelper.com/core-and-fringe-vocabulary-what-it-is-how-to-use-it/Lámh: www.lamh.org Social Stories: www.carolgraysocialstories.comSocial Thinking: www.socialthinking.com

SLT Parents’ Post-Diagnostic Information Session Handout (Under 8 years group) – NOS/SE November 2019Brothers of Charity - Autism Services-South Lee

Example of a BOCSI-SR communication board