My-COMMUNICATION How to Teach a Child with Autism to Talk

How to Teach a Child with Autism to Talk
Autism Community Magazine (Volume 2, Fall 2012)
By Renai Jonas Ed.D.,CCC-SLP

It is well documented that speech and language impairments and communication deficits are symptoms of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (DSM IV-TR). Approximately twenty-five percent (25%) of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are nonverbal (do not talk). These children are able to communicate using other means (Autismspeaks.org, 2011), such as leading, sign language, or by using helpful devices, such as the iPad. However, it is encouraging to know that by eight years of age many children across the autism spectrum are able to talk or communicate at some level.

The following concepts, suggestions, and proven strategies may contradict long-standing beliefs about an individual’s perceived inability to speak. I recognize the value of these beliefs and do not wish to negate them, nor give parents, grandparents or significant others false hopes. However, over my past 37 years of experience working with children who have acquired speech after being diagnosed as nonverbal, I feel it is critical that the following approach(es) be given equal consideration and application as any others. While there is much debate about which approaches to speech development are the “right ones,” there is no debate when it comes to the universal commitment of all parents and therapists to help every child reach his or her fullest potential. After all, the right approach is the one that works for each individual.

In order to turn a nonverbal child into a verbal child or to speed up speech and language development, first it is necessary to determine why the child is not talking. The following are six possibilities:

1. The child is not interested or motivated to talk (a symptom of Autism).
2. There is a motor planning issue. The child may have difficulty forming the sounds necessary to talk, making it too difficult to speak. There may be unsuccessful attempts to speak. Their sound repertoire can be severely limited to only a few consonants and vowels with a consistent vocabulary of only one to five word approximations, i.e. “ahm” for mommy or “yahyah” for daddy or “ahmah” for grandma. This is often diagnosed as childhood onset Apraxia as opposed to adult onset Apraxia caused by a stroke (an identifiable neurological impairment). Apraxia occurs more frequently in children with ASD than suspected and often goes undiagnosed at first.
3. The child communicates effectively by using nonverbal means, i.e. tantrums, leading (bringing), showing, sign language or gestures, using an augmentative system (e.g. Picture Exchange Communication-PEC pictures/book, iPad, Dynavox), etc.
4. Others talk for the child.
5. All needs are anticipated and met without the need to communicate.
6. The child has poor focus and attention with an increased activity level.

The first step the family should take in order to evaluate the nonverbal child is to schedule an audiological assessment (formal hearing test) by a licensed audiologist to rule out hearing impairment (especially if this runs in the family). It is equally important to schedule a speech and language assessment by a licensed speech and language pathologist who is experienced in both Autism and Apraxia.

I feel it is extremely important for parents, grandparents, other family members, and caregivers to learn how to encourage the child to learn the skill of orally speaking as soon as possible in order to reduce behavioral issues resulting from frustration and to develop social interactions. Even though alternative means of communication like the iPad and PECS are very helpful, these can always be introduced when speaking alone is not going to be a successful means of communication. However, first and foremost, early on (starting at 8 to 12 months), I want parents as well as significant others to focus on the following suggestions to develop and enhance speech in children with Autism.

The My-COMMUNICATION Approach

My motivation is the key to talk or to communicate. If the child is not motivated, create a motivation! For example, don’t allow the child get a desired object or food unless a sound(s) is produced. Later, you can go back and shape the sound in order to develop a closer word approximation or clearer word, phrase, or sentence (e.g. “I want more”).

Can’t talk. Talking (motor planning) is too difficult? Make it EASY! When it is too difficult to form the sound, then the sound(s) must be physically shaped at the mouth by the adult. For example:

Hold the lips closed for “m” (for the word more)

Round the lips for “w” (for the word water)

Other means of communication must be abandoned or avoided at first. Focus on TALKING! The child will use the method of least resistance. If sign language or another means of communication has been introduced, then there may not be a need to speak unless the child is also expected to vocalize (use a word or word approximation along with the nonverbal means). With sign language a child’s hands are readily available and easier to use to communicate rather than to talk verbally. In fact, the research during the past five years has shown that when a deaf child is given surgery (cochlear implant) to restore hearing, sign language must be discontinued or not introduced since this will slow down speech development. In children with ASD, alternative methods to communicate do not encourage speech production or face to face contact except for PECS which involves a communicative exchange and is more cumbersome. I have found clinically that giving a child more when he uses the sign for “more” often reduces a young child’s attempts to vocalize “more,” delaying the ability to produce the word.

Make the child attempt to say the word. At first, any attempt is acceptable. Wait for the child to vocalize before you give the highly preferred item (placed in front of the child). As soon as he/she verbalizes (not cries) he/she gets the toy/edible and you say, “You said more, more pretzels.” This will encourage communicative intent (when I say this, then I get that).

Make a choice. Do not anticipate the child’s needs. Give a choice, “Do you want a pretzel or water” and wait for a response.

Under your nose. Get the child’s focus and attention by holding the object near your mouth even if it is only for a few seconds. The child will make closer attempts if he/she sees your mouth produce the sounds, words, etc. Looking also increases focus and attention.

Nose and eye level. Get down to the child’s level so you can talk eye to eye and face to face.

It’s too fast. Slow down your rate of speech when talking to a young child. Speak slowly and clearly.

Communicate one word ahead of the child (e.g. if the child is using a one word utterances such as “go” you should use two words such as “papa go”) when giving a direction or requiring a response.

Asking should be avoided. Commenting is preferable. Use more comments than questions. Instead of “You want more?” say, “Oh, you want more!”

Two compliments/praises should be given per attempt/utterance at first. Praise is always good!

It’s easy. Focus on frequently used words such as:
yes /no    cookie          open          stop       potty

eat           water            up              go

drink        ball              help            hi

all done    I want         give me      bye

As the child practices these words that occur naturally all day and day after day, the approximations will get closer and clearer.

Oh blow. Use blowing games, noisemakers, blowers, and wind instruments that require lip closure and lip rounding such as:
bubbles
blowers
horns & wind instruments

No anxiety. Do not get anxious or get the child anxious. Turn every attempt into a positive one. If the child cannot imitate or produce a sound or a word, then accept and praise an approximation.

It is my experience that individuals (parents, grandparents, caregivers, significant others, teachers, therapists, etc.) who use The My-COMMUNICATION Approach in order to help the child learn to talk or to produce clearer speech will see the child advance in speech, language and communication skills within a matter of months.

Dr. Renai Jonas is a Speech and Language Pathologist who has been providing pediatric intervention for the past 37 years with a specialty in Autism and Apraxia

Written by: Renai Jonas Ed.D., CCC-SLP, [email protected]

May 2012 

The MY-COMMUNICATION Approach

My  Motivation is the key to talk or to communicate.  If there is no motivation create it!
C        Can’t talk or talking (motor planning) is too difficult, make it EASY.
O       Other means of communication must be abandoned or avoided at first. Focus on talking!
M     Make an attempt to say the word, at first any attempt is accepted.
M     Make a choice. Do not anticipate the child’s needs. Allow the child to make a choice.
U       Under your nose. The child is to focus on your mouth.
N        Nose and eye level.  Get down to your child’s level so you can talk eye to eye, face to face.
I         It’s too fast. Slow down your rate of speech when communicating with your child.
C       Communicate one word ahead of your child. If your child uses 1 word utterances you use 2.
A      Asking should be avoided. Commenting is preferable.
T       Two complements/praises should be given per attempt/utterance. Praise is always good.
I        It’s easy, focus on frequently used words such as bye or more.

O     Oh blow. Use blowing games, noisemakers, blowers, etc. that require lip rounding and lip closure.
N      No anxiety, do not get anxious. Turn every attempt into a positive one.

Use The My-COMMUNICATION Approach to enhance the development of speech, language, and communication.

Developed by Dr. Renai Jonas [email protected], May 2012

See also Top 12 Developmental Mouth Activities for Young Children written by Dr. Renai Jonas

Dr. Renai Jonas Featured by FLASHA (Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists)

Dr. Renai Jonas

Both speech-language professionals in our state, as well as those with special needs, should be thankful that Dr. Renai Jonas decided to migrate to sunnier skies here in South Florida over forty years ago where since 1975 she has spent the predominate portion of her career both teaching future SLPs as an adjunct professor for both Nova SE University and Florida Atlantic University as well as working with children from all over the world with diagnoses from autism and apraxia to Moebius. Nothing gives Renai more pleasure than running into these individuals once they are grown adults and seeing the fruits of her labor. Not only has she been a significant asset to these children, but has, in many cases, inspired their parents to join the profession of speech therapy or other related fields. As an established guest lecturer and writer for magazines such as Autism Community, Renai recalls one of the more memorable of these circumstances: “I worked with a toddler with a diagnosis of Autism (who) later became a Physicist. I treated him up until the age of 4. He would then return once or twice a year for a social skills tune up. At the age of five he returned and he told me about a letter he wrote to the President of the United States as part of a Kindergarten project. He developed a plan to incinerate trash in an environmentally safe manner by digging a hole into the center of the earth and having a chute to pass the garbage through.”

It is always flattering to be noted as an expert in one’s field. Renai was asked to be part of the first early intervention team in Palm Beach County that specialized in both autism and apraxia.  In addition, Renai recalls the experience that she classifies as her “once in a lifetime” opportunity. She was asked to join with professionals from all over the country to be involved in the task of classifying Apraxia in children as a disorder. Through the nonprofit Cherab Foundation, the Social Security Administration asked her to be a speaker with other highly acclaimed individuals and presented on the evidence on how different speech, language and hearing diagnoses and conditions may be considered disabilities.  Renai is a neurodevelopmental therapist specializing in feeding diagnosis and treatment, vital (electric), Stim and Prompt trained.

When asked what her favorite therapy technique was, Renai answered this question by discussing her therapeutic philosophy: “Over the years I have found that there is not one technique that helps any one child.” Renai likes to mix and match methodologies in order to create an individualized approach to therapy. Sometimes she may use up to ten or more methods within one session. She also adopts techniques from other related disciplines such as sensory, behavior, motor, nutrition, educational, etc.

After such a long and successful career, Dr. Jonas is happy to provide tips for up and coming professionals in the field of speech pathology. She mentions that if a therapist notices that a child is not progressing, they should assess what they are doing in the therapeutic process that can be modified rather than think it is the child that is not able to learn. All children can progress is her motto. Contributing to her therapeutic success is her philosophy that intervention must focus on the entire child including the family. She recommends that therapists work with every individual involved with that person in order to maximize the gains. Another belief that guides Renai is the understanding that one never stops learning. She cautions new as well as veteran therapists to make sure that they stay as current as possible on techniques and methodologies within our field especially when it comes to technological advances.

Though Renai has had a wonderful and successful career, she has also encountered her own share of professional challenges. One of her biggest obstacles has been getting parents, teachers, and other professionals to believe in the special child. She feels that having a label often prejudices the person against society’s values. Expectations may fall short and opportunities for growth may be less than they should. Renai attempts to encourage professionals who work with special needs individuals to deal with their self-esteem in addition to the skills that they are trying to teach.

We are so blessed to be able to have such not only a wonderful therapist, but also a teacher of life’s most valuable lessons with us to enlighten us along our own path.

Jonas Therapy Associates