At its core, autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects behavior and communication skills. Depending on the person, ASD can affect different parts of a person’s communication skills. But what are the common autism communication problems that parents need to overcome?
ASD’s communication challenges revolve around understanding body language such as facial expressions, difficulty developing language, and recognizing the tone of voice in others. Although these are common in children with ASD, not every child will have all of these issues.
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How Does Autism Affect Communication Skills?
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), people with autism tend to, “exist in a private world where they are unable to successfully communicate and interact with others.” This means social communication like language skills and paying attention to what others are saying tend to be more difficult to develop.
So, we know that children with autism struggle with these communication styles, but how do we recognize these struggles?
Common Communication Patterns in Children with Autism
According to the NIDCD linked above, autistic children tend to exhibit the following traits when in social situations:
Repetitive or rigid language
What do we mean by “repetitive or rigid language”? Perhaps the child in question will repeat a phrase they have heard over and over, or they will repeat a question that is often asked of them when they want something (like food or water). This is called echolalia and is a common communication pattern that children with autism use.
Narrow interests and exceptional abilities
Some children with autism can and will give an in-depth monologue on a specific subject they know a lot about. Some other children can carry on a two-way conversation about that topic, but others may not be able to.
Other children (approximately 10%) with autism might exhibit a natural talent for “savant” skills in areas like music or math.
Uneven language development
As the name suggests, many children with ASD tend to develop their language skills unevenly. Their reading and comprehension may not develop at the same rate as neurotypical children, or they may have a great deal of difficulty with responding to another person. This can vary depending on the child.
Poor nonverbal conversation skills
Finally, children with ASD often cannot use or recognize nonverbal communication. Oftentimes they avoid eye contact, which can make them seem rude to others. This can hinder them from being understood, which can make the children frustrated (understandably so). This frustration can cause them to lash out.
Treatment for Communication Disorders
There are many treatments for communication disorders including a speech pathologist that will specialize in helping children with ASD develop their spoken language skills. Treatment depends on the age and severity of the disorder. Your speech pathologist will work with you and your child to determine what will be the best for your child.
ABA Therapy with Steps to Progress
Communication skills can take a lot for children with ASD to develop, but it can be done with the right help. Steps to Progress can help in the development of your child through ABA therapy. If you are looking for an ABA therapist, Steps to Progress is here to help.
Contact us for more information about ABA therapy!
