Autism and communication support
Speech pathologists are a key part of the team for many autistic children, supporting communication in whatever form works for the child, including spoken words and other ways of communicating.
What it is
Autistic children communicate in diverse ways. Some use spoken language, some use a mix, and some communicate most easily with tools such as pictures or devices. Support focuses on helping a child communicate and connect, and on the people around them understanding and responding.
How speech pathology helps
A speech pathologist looks at how your child currently communicates and builds from there. That can include developing spoken language, social communication, understanding language, and introducing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) where it helps. Approaches that respect how the child communicates are central.
Signs families notice
Families often seek speech pathology support around:
- Developing and understanding spoken language
- Social communication and interaction
- Introducing AAC, such as picture systems or devices
- Reducing frustration by building reliable ways to communicate
- Coaching family and educators to support communication
NDIS and funding
Speech pathology is a common support in the plans of autistic children, funded under Capacity Building, Improved Daily Living where it relates to their goals. A speech pathologist can also support AAC assessment and setup.
Common questions
Does speech therapy try to stop autistic children from communicating in their own way?
Good practice supports a child to communicate effectively in whatever way works for them, including AAC, rather than forcing speech. The goal is reliable, comfortable communication and connection.
What is AAC?
AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. It includes tools such as picture boards and speech-generating devices that give a child a reliable way to communicate alongside or instead of speech.
If you would like communication support for your child, search your suburb on Waitless to find local clinics and enquire for free. Ask each clinic about its experience supporting autistic children.
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This page is general information, not clinical advice, and every child is different. For advice about your child, speak with a GP or a speech pathologist.