Focusing on speech is one of the most important things you can do to help your autistic child. Kids with autism often have trouble communicating, but it’s important to remember that speech is more than just talking. Some kids with autism may have trouble talking to others, while others may have a large vocabulary but have trouble with the social parts of speaking. How your child talks and how to connect with them are the most important things. There are a lot of different ways to make conversation easier, such as using pictures, gestures, or other gadgets. By understanding the different ways people can talk to each other, you give your child a lot of options for how they can present themselves.
Patience is one of the most useful things you can have. Autism makes it harder for kids to communicate because they often need more time to think about what they are hearing. Do not rush your child when they are trying to answer. Give them time. Your child will feel more at ease when you talk to them if you make eye contact, use clear, simple language, and repeat things if they need to. Also, it’s important to show your child how to start and keep a chat going by talking yourself. This could mean teaching simple social skills like how to say hello, ask for help, or show how you feel. Over time, these small steps can add up to big changes.
Also, it’s important to make sure your child feels safe and supported when they talk to you, no matter how they do it. Rewarding any attempt at conversation, even if it’s just a look, word, or action, sends the message that communication is important. Your child can practice these skills in a fun and relaxed way by getting praise and setting up habits that involve talking, like having set times to play, talk, or share their experiences. Your child will be able to connect with others better as their speaking skills improve. This will help them make friends and feel more confident in the world around them. Your child can learn the skills they need to express themselves and deal with the problems of daily life with your help.