Learning to communicate with autistic kids

One of the therapies that parents can consider for autistic children is music.

The most important thing that parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) should understand is that ASD is a developmental disorder that affects a child's communication skills.

According to speech language therapist Lee Kong Meng, unlike speech delay, which is developmentally normal, ASD is a continuous, life-altering condition.

“Autism is a complex neuro-biological disorder of development that lasts throughout a person's life.  It can sometimes be called a development disability and can be diagnosed in a child as early as one to two years old,” says Lee.

He currently runs his own speech therapy centre, Speech Beacon.

According to Lee, children with ASD are diagnosed based on their language, behavioural, communication, and play and social skills.

Nurturing time

His main advice to parents who have children diagnosed with ASD is simply to spend more time nurturing them.

“The most fundamental way for parents to help stimulate speech and communication with their kids would be by spending time with them and continuously engaging them in various meaningful interactions that help in their social interaction and communication skills.  

“For example, if your child likes to draw, you can join him/her and draw together while talking about the drawing and asking questions about the drawing. Suggesting items like using coloured pencils, or a crayon and what colour to use on certain objects are just many ways to gain a positive response from your child,” says Lee.

According to him, parents can join their children in certain activities and successfully gain a reaction from them. However, most kids with ASD would not welcome company when they are playing by themselves.

“They may prefer to play with their toys and their games on their own. Parents need to be persistent but in an encouraging way. Once you are able to connect with your child on their personal level, the child will find it easier to learn from you.

“Every kid with ASD is different in terms of their verbal ability, language and communication skills. As a parent, you will need to first understand your child’s profile. Based on this understanding you have to set realistic expectations for them to achieve,” Lee reiterates.

“For example, if your child doesn't establish a verbal ability soon enough, you should think of an alternative mode of communication such as gestures or pictures while also trying to stimulate his/her speech.

“If you have been pushing for verbal communication for a long period of time and have yet to see progress, it might be time to consider alternative communication devices.”

Pictures are always a great way to encourage responses. Adding in sounds or a recording will further enhance your child's ability, hence, he or she will begin to form their own words, but in developing stages, suggests Lee.

Discovering ASD

According to Lee there are obvious warning signs that might alert a parent:

“Development of behavioural problems such as screaming, crying and throwing tantrums, especially when they don’t have a proper way of expressing themselves, is a sure warning sign,” says Lee. “They might also have problems socialising with other kids and making friends.”

Here are some possible red flags for ASD:

- A child does not respond to his / her name.
- The child cannot explain what he / she wants.
- The child's language skills are slow to develop or speech is delayed.
- The child doesn't follow directions.
- The child doesn't point or wave “bye-bye.”
- The child used to say a few words or babble, but now she / he doesn't.
- The child throws intense or violent tantrums.
- The child has odd movement patterns and has poor eye contact.
- The child is overly active, uncooperative, or resistant.
- The child doesn't know how to play with toys and prefers to play alone.
- The child gets “stuck” doing the same things over and over and can't move on to other things.
- The child seems to be in his / her own world and is not interested in interacting with other children.
- The child spends a lot of time lining things up or putting things in a certain order.

Therapies

Once a parent has identified their child with ASD, there are many types of therapies they can consider.

“Parents should consider speech therapy, occupational therapy, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA therapy), early intervention programme and music therapy,” says Lee.

“These therapies can begin as early as one year old, or once a child has been diagnosed with ASD. However, there are no specific devices that can be recommended. Though it is quite common for non-verbal kids with ASD to use Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to assist with communication,” he continues.

PECS uses pictures to help the child communicate.

“Other support resources frequently used include the Schedule Board and Social Stories. Some children might use high-tech communication tools or tablets with special software for communication as well.

“The schedule board is like a picture or written words in the form of a table to assist the kids in following routines and, if in school, to follow class activities independently. This will help them learn the activities that are lined up during their time in school and reduce any uncertainties that may form in their minds, leaving them feeling more secure while away from home.

“The social stories form made-up stories to assist the children to face certain social situations that might be challenging for them. For example, lining up to buy food or sharing food and acknowledging people in common social interactions.” explains Lee.

Which therapy the parents choose for their child depends on the child and how he or she responds to the therapy.