Medical advancements in the past several years have shown unprecedented hope for people with varied physical, mental, and neurological ailments. One such disorder that affects millions of people globally is autism and thanks to the emergence of top-notch medical centres, it has been found that speech therapy can do remarkable wonders for children who are on the spectrum.
In this space, we are going to explore the possibilities of speech therapy in the context of autism and how you can introduce it to your child to give them the best chance at living a wholesome life despite their autistic condition. Let us try and understand autism first and then move on to grasp how speech therapy has relevance in this arena.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a developmental and neurological disorder that affects the way someone interacts with others. It is a complex condition that involves persistent challenges with repetitive behaviour, social communication, and restricted interests. Even though autism is regarded as a lifelong condition, certain practices can make the situation more manageable, allowing individuals with autism to live a wholesome life.
Autistic people find it relatively hard to interact and communicate with others. Additionally, it is also extremely difficult for them to figure out or understand how other people think or feel. Some may find it hard to be around loud noises or bright colours. They get upset or anxious in social events and unfamiliar situations. Furthermore, autistic people also take a longer time to comprehend information.
Children with autism also have patterns that may look different from the patterns of those without autism. You may notice this when watching autistic kids learn or play. They may concentrate on one specific topic, like a television show or a moving car, or they may be attached to a certain activity or object. Often, these patterns make engaging in and learning new activities harder without help from peers or caregivers.
Even though the medical community uses the term “autism” to refer to a disability or disorder, many people regard autistic people to be neurodivergent—that autism is a difference in condition, not a disability. Therefore, it is important to respect the perspective of the person with autism and/or their families about the type of care or services they are willing to receive.
Autistic individuals also face the challenge of not being able to use non-verbal communication cues. This includes gestures, body language, and facial expressions, They may interpret words and language differently than others. It has also been noted that many autistic individuals struggle with figurative idioms and languages.
When speaking to or about someone with autism, some people like to be addressed as a “person with autism,” whereas others choose to be referred to as an “autistic person” or even “autistic.” Different individuals prefer different terms, and this is why, each person should be given the respect to be identified in the way that they want.
Signs and Symptoms of Autism
Early detection of the signs and symptoms of autism can help with quick intervention. Please look out for the signs and symptoms of autism in your kids carefully. If you come across any uncommon behaviour, then take immediate action and seek medical help.
Just like how there is no shame in taking your child to the dentist, there should not be any taboo associated with obtaining medical help for autistic kids. The quicker you act, the better it will help.
To help you out, we have compiled a list of signs and symptoms of autism. If you don’t act timely, the social isolation emerging from autism can even lead to depression. Please note that you may not see all the symptoms in every case.
- Lack of proficiency with the use of non-verbal gestures.
- Stereotypical movements such as rocking, hand flapping, and spinning.
- Being overly focused on niche subjects to the exclusion of other people.
- Expecting others to be equally interested in those subjects.
- Interpreting abstract ideas literally.
- Difficulty making friends or keeping them.
- Decreased sharing of interests with others.
- Aversion to maintaining eye contact.
- Sensory hypersensitivity, such as aversion to loud noises.
- Difficulty appreciating their own & others’ emotions.
- Arranging things, often toys and other objects, in a very particular manner.
- Difficulty tolerating changes in routine and new experiences.
- Scripted or stilted speech.
- The inflexibility of behavior, and extreme difficulty coping with change.
How Speech Therapy Can Help with Autism?
One of the prevalent issues that autistic kids suffer from is that they find it hard to comprehend information and interaction. Speech therapy is designed to address this issue, as it tackles the challenges head-on and provides productive results.
Speech therapy has come a long way in helping children with autism. It helps people learn how to communicate better and make their point across clearly. The exercises that the skilled professionals partake in with the kids will help them boost their self-esteem and navigate their surroundings pragmatically and profoundly.
You need to get in touch with a reputed speech therapy clinic in Dubai and consult with a speech therapist. Please remember that each autistic condition is different. Therefore, getting personalized treatment is crucial in addressing the specific condition of your child. It has also been noted that speech therapy helps autistic kids in forming complex sentences. This means that their horizon to comprehend information gradually improves.
With this therapy, your child will be able to improve their receptive and expressive language skills. This will, in turn, help them communicate their desires and feelings efficiently. Not to forget, they will be better equipped to take social cues and will be more willing to maintain eye contact.
All these majorly contribute to building meaningful relationships. Furthermore, speech therapy can help with voice modulation, articulation, and fluency. Regular therapy sessions will go a long way in improving behavioural patterns and will lower frustration.
To Conclude
Remember, just because autism is a lifelong condition, it doesn’t mean that you have to succumb to it. Many people go on to live a positive and healthy life despite going through autism. Sometimes, they are so well-versed with their surroundings that you can’t even tell that they are autistic.
With timely intervention of speech and language therapy, autistic kids can mingle with others seamlessly. This allows them to lead a healthier life. If you or anyone you know is suffering from autism, make sure to get an appointment with a certified medical centre that specializes in speech and language therapy and begin the recovery journey.
- CATEGORIES : Speech Therapy
