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Speech and language therapy/help for toddler with suspected ASD

4 replies

DamnedRose · 07/03/2021 19:27

Ds 2.2 has just been referred to the community paediatrician for investigation and I’ve been looking at any help/therapy we could access in the meantime. I’ve read about ABA and the different hanen speech therapy courses and am really struggling to decide what would be best for DS.

He doesn’t speak at all or have any proper words, he doesn’t try to name objects but he can make and recognise animal noises and name some letters of the alphabet. He waves very rarely and doesn’t nod or shake his head for yes or no. He does sometimes make sounds when playing but these are usually repetitive , he has never really babbled in a conversational way or tried blending sounds.

He leads you by the hand to communicate what he wants. He doesn’t point to the things he wants but will point to something in a book if you ask him ‘which is the cat?’

His understanding isn’t great so ideally I’d like to focus on helping him with that and his communication and social skills. He understands routine things that he hears all the time like ‘it’s fine for a bath’ and he can identify colours, animals and some other simple objects.

He doesn’t seem interested in what his peers are doing at nursery and doesn’t usually join in with the group activities. He’s not very good at responding to his name and his eye contact is very poor.
He doesn’t seem to have any sensory issues and he seems to tantrum the same amount as other toddlers his age.
Has anyone any experience they would be happy to share or any recommendations?

OP posts:
BackforGood · 08/03/2021 00:01

I am NOT a fan of ABA. It really is very controversial in the UK (I don't know where you are in the World - it is more popular in America).

I like Hanen a lot more.
It might be worth you looking at the principles behind PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). This is about getting children to understand that, if they communicate with you, it can effect their world. The fact that if they can communicate their need or want, then they are "rewarded" by getting it. It (for me) is the basis of all purposeful communication. Learning to recite words is not helpful unless you understand that you need to "ask" the adult for something you want or need.
Also Look up Autism Little Learners - she is an American Speech Pathologist, and offers up some fab resources for free, on line.

Sairamma · 04/10/2022 12:51

@DamnedRose do you have any updates? In a similar situation

Damnedrose · 04/10/2022 14:34

Hi @Sairamma, DS now has his formal diagnosis of ASD. He goes to ABA therapy and his speech and understanding has come on loads! He’s able to verbally request his wants and needs and follow 2 step instructions. His vocabulary is now huge and he uses 7 word sentences. He’s still behind his peers and some areas of speech he still struggles with, for example he mixes up he and she a lot or sometimes he’ll add an extra word which isn’t required and he’s not great with back and forth communication but he’s come a long way.

OP posts:
Sairamma · 05/10/2022 00:19

@DamnedRose thank you so much for the update. Means a lot, you taking the time to do it. Also, really happy to learn about the progress, and see the prospects of how children can thrive when well-supported.

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