| Autism Services Association | | | | practice in many different places with many different |
| What is it? | | | | people (2). In order for speech therapy to be most |
| The goal of speech therapy is to improve all aspects | | | | successful, caregivers should practice speech |
| of communication. This includes: comprehension, | | | | exercises during normal daily routines in the home, |
| expression, sound production, and social use of | | | | school, and community (1, 5). Speech therapists can |
| language (1). Speech therapy may include sign | | | | give specific examples of how best to incorporate |
| language and the use of picture symbols (2). At its | | | | speech therapy throughout a child's day (6). |
| best, a specific speech therapy program is tailored to | | | | What's it like? |
| the specific weaknesses of the individual child (1). | | | | Speech therapy sessions will vary greatly depending |
| Unfortunately, it can be difficult to create a | | | | upon the child. If the child is younger than three years |
| child-specific, evolving, long-term speech therapy plan (1, | | | | old, then the speech therapist will most likely come into |
| 3). | | | | the home for a one hour session. If the child is older |
| The National Research Council describes four aspects | | | | than three, then therapy session swill occur at school |
| of beneficial speech therapy- | | | | or in the therapist's office. If the child is school age, |
| (1) Speech therapy should begin early in a child's life | | | | expect that speech therapy will include one-on-one |
| and be frequent. | | | | time with the child, classroom-based activities, and |
| (2) Therapy should be rooted in practical experience in | | | | consultations between the speech therapist and |
| the child's life. | | | | teachers and parents (2). |
| (3) Therapy should encourage spontaneous | | | | The sessions should be designed to engage the child in |
| communication. | | | | communication. The therapist will engage the child |
| (4) Any communication skills learned during speech | | | | through games and toys chosen specifically for the |
| therapy should be generalizable to multiple situations | | | | child. Several different speech therapy techniques and |
| (4). Autism Services Association | | | | approaches can be used in a single session or |
| Thus, any speech therapy program should include | | | | throughout many sessions (see below). |