Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Challenges with speech and language differ for each child with autism. Some may not speak, while others enjoy talking but find conversations or social cues like body language difficult. Speech therapists help children improve both verbal and nonverbal communication, supporting better relationships and daily functioning. Therapy is tailored to your child’s strengths and interests, making it a collaborative process with your family. Your therapist will assess your child’s communication skills and create a personalized plan to guide their growth.

Speech therapy for autism may focus on skills like the following: 

• Verbal communication: Helps individuals articulate clearer speech sounds and words to express thoughts and be understood.

• Body language: Assists autistic individuals in interpreting body language, matching emotions to expressions, and noticing subtle cues.

• Asking and answering questions: Teaches formation and understanding of questions and answers, essential for daily life.

• Social pragmatics: Guides appropriate social communication, including when, how, and to whom to say phrases like “good morning.”

• Prosody: Helps modulate speech tone for more natural and expressive communication.

• Conversation skills: Teaches natural back-and-forth dialogue beyond simple statements.

• Social skills: Supports communication, play, interaction, maintaining appropriate distance, and recognizing social cues.

• Grammar: Corrects errors such as third-person self-reference and incorrect tenses.

• Emotional Regulation Skills: Helps the child recognize their feelings and identify and create routines that help him/her calm.

At The Linked Method we use the SCERTS Model for targeting skills.

• SC - Social Communication

• ER - Emotional Regulation

• TS - Transactional Supports

The SCERTS (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support) model provides a framework for supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. It focuses on enhancing social communication and emotional regulation skills through a combination of individualized supports and environmental modifications. Examples include using visual schedules to manage daily routines, incorporating sensory tools like weighted blankets, and teaching specific communication strategies for social interactions. 

Examples of SCERTS in Practice:

• Social Communication:

  • Developing the use of communication for social interaction, such as using gestures or words to request desired items or share emotions. 

  • Teaching children to initiate and maintain conversations, including turn-taking and topic maintenance. 

  • Using visual supports like picture cards or written schedules to aid in communication and understanding. 

• Emotional Regulation:

  • Creating a "calm down" corner with sensory tools (e.g., weighted blankets, fidget toys) to help children manage overwhelming situations. 

  • Teaching children to recognize and express their emotions using visual aids or social stories. 

  • Helping children develop strategies to cope with transitions and changes in routine. 

• Transactional Support:

  • Modifying the environment to reduce sensory overload and promote comfort, such as adjusting lighting or noise levels. 

  • Providing individualized supports like visual schedules, choice boards, or augmentative communication systems to facilitate communication and participation. 

  • Training family members and educators on how to effectively interact with and support individuals with ASD. 

Key Principles:

• Individualized Approach

• Family-Centered 

• Evidence-Based

• Focus on Functionality

• Positive, long-term outcomes related to social communication, emotional regulation, and overall quality of life.