Exercises to improve speech in autism

 Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a range of neuro developmental disorders that affect social, behavioral, and communicative abilities. The word ‘autism’ originated from the Greek word ‘autos’ which means ‘self’. People with ASD tend to live in private worlds and find it difficult to make sense of society as is ordinarily perceived. Broadening such individuals’ scope of socialization could ease difficulties in social living and improve social interaction skills. At the heart of socialization lies the ability to use language and comprehend speech. Treatment for Autism includes interventions appropriate to the age and severity of the disability. 

Some common patterns of speech have been observed in persons with autism. Children with ASD are generally slow to begin talking. They tend to repeat words rather adamantly and out of context. They are often confused during conversations. Development in the ability to use language is uneven in autism — some may develop strong vocabularies in particular areas of interest while some only babble or make noises. Some of them who otherwise display no deficiencies in speech may find it difficult to respond spontaneously. Confused intonation has been widely observed wherein there is a complete mismatch between the phrase and the underlying emotion.

ASD may present unique challenges and no two experiences are likely to be similar. Hence, it is important to make a comprehensive analysis of a child’s ability to communicate and accordingly design a treatment plan. Speech is only one component of communication, but a great place to start. Speech therapy helps improve verbal, non-verbal, and social communication.

Here are some exercises that help in aiding speech, correcting behavioral incongruity, and overall social learning.

1. Oral motor exercises: Several speech pathologists vouch for oral motor exercises, and swear by it. However, research does not support the claim that motor exercises have an independent influence on speech development. Nevertheless, it is widely acknowledged that such exercises support oral awareness — a sense of positioning of lips and tongue that enable sensory integration, imitation, and improved attention.   

Here are some fun, oral motor exercises:

·         Chewing gum

·         Making soap bubbles

·         Eating crunchy veggies

·         Using electric toothbrushes 

·         Drinking thick shakes using thin straws

2.            Alternative augmentative communication: Methods of using visuals and technology to communicate are referred to as alternative augmentative communication. The use of assistive technology has proven to be more effective than active speaking sessions. 

Some alternative methods include:

·         Using sign language

·         Using pictures to help teach sentences 

·         Using receptive and expressive language apps

·         Using speech-generating devices such as Dynavox

3.            Socialization exercises: It is important to socialize persons with autism especially in varied or large groups. Engaging them in community activities and acclimatizing them to public spaces can significantly improve social skills. You can tutor them on ways of social interaction through strict schedules and reinforcement strategies.

Some exercises that could help are:

·         Asking them to place orders in a restaurant

·         Encouraging them to buy tickets from a counter

·         Getting them accustomed to parks and other public spaces

4.            Strategic prompts: Persons with autism have difficulty using language spontaneously. They often avoid expressing unless prompted. To encourage independent communication, it is important to prompt strategically, wherein the role of the communicative partner is gradually reduced. 

Follow the steps below to better understand the use of strategic prompts:

·         Habituating a person to use certain terms/phrases the repetition of word prompts 

·         Gradually reducing the intensity of prompts to mere nudges 

·         Withdrawing yourself completely from such social situations to allow the person to converse on their own

·         Repeating the same strategy in several conversational situations

Autism is not a disease or an illness. Autism is more a condition that is different from the conventional and needs to be responded to with empathy and understanding. Speech therapy interventions have made considerable strides in holistically including persons with autism into mainstream social living. There are several options for treatment for Autism available across the country that cater to different ASD needs.