May is National Speech and Hearing month. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders can HEAR, but often demonstrate difficulty processing what is said and acting on directions given auditorally. Children with Autism most commonly present a delay in language development, so their SPEECH is a daily ladder upwards.
Speech and hearing are the two senses that connect us most to the community around us. As discussed in our
Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) and Autism blog, the ability to hear is step one, and the ability to auditorally process that information and act on it is step two. That is how we learn to stop at the sound of danger (siren, scream, crash) or turn our head to the sound of another person's
voice.
Speech is the sense that connects us to others. Our ability to speak allows us to share our thoughts, request our wants and needs, and express affection and appreciation verbally to others.
Children with Autism can learn to connect and communicate through SPEECH and listen and respond through HEARING. They just need to be taught. One step at a time, we will teach your child how.
Sincerely,
Sarah
Did you know Steinberg Behavior Solutions is an approved practicum site for the Chicago School of Professional Psychology? 
