Being able to clearly communicate what you want is a skill that shouldn’t be overlooked. Even as adults, we sometimes have trouble articulating our needs. This goes twofold for children, who are still figuring things out themselves, and further compounded in those that have autism. This is why we keep professional speech pathologists on staff at Monarch House. Speech therapy for children with autism, when done right, can transform lives. Speech pathology empowers a child to express themselves, connect with others, and navigate the world confidently. So how does one take this essential tool and make it even more effective? 

Here are ten ways to make the most of Monarch House’s speech therapy for children with autism.

1. Make It Social

Does your child sometimes say the sweetest thing that makes your heart leap with joy? Speech therapy isn’t just about words. It’s about that connection. We help your child build those skills. At Monarch House, we work on social communication development every day. We address specific skillsets, like knowing how to take turns in a conversation or being able to effectively recognize facial expressions. That’s a big part of the puzzle. Through role-playing, group sessions, and interactive games, we help children feel more at ease navigating social situations.

2. Team Up 

Do you feel alone in your mission to help your child with words? Don’t. Sometimes, it takes a village. We have a wide-reaching, interdisciplinary staff that are here to help you. We bring in occupational therapists, behavioural specialists, psychotherapists, and speech pathologists. We even like to include siblings, extended family, and educators in the discussion. This ensures a comprehensive approach. Everyone works together to address overlapping challenges, like sensory sensitivities or behavioural hurdles, for a well-rounded intervention plan.

3. Put New Skills Into Practice

It’s all fine and well to recite a stock phrase, but is it the best use of time? At Monarch House we take a more efficient and holistic approach. Our speech pathologists can work with your child on words that promote self advocacy and independence. For instance, we might focus on the exact words your child might need to handle a bullying situation. We call this “functional communication.” Some examples of this include: how to ask for help, express emotions, or say “no.” These are skills that can make a real difference in their daily lives. Practical applications of practiced language gives kids a sense of control and independence, which boosts their confidence.

4. Keep It Going At Home

Your child’s grasp on language is not something that is developed one hour at a time. It’s an all-day, every day development. At Monarch House, we like to remind parents that speech therapy doesn’t stop at the clinic door—it continues to thrive at home. Parents and caregivers are the unsung heroes here. Through parent coaching at our clinics, we can help you learn ways to provide your child with ongoing guidance and how to integrate communication goals into their daily lives. For instance, we can introduce concepts like modelling words during play or how to use gestures to reinforce language. When the whole family is on board, progress happens faster.

4. Make It Fun

We want your child to be the first out the door on the way to their speech pathology sessions at Monarch House. So we make the lessons fun, and engaging. The goal is to have them look forward to coming back each time. Beyond enthusiasm, we find that learning simply sticks better when it’s fun. Play-based techniques like storytelling, pretend play, and games keep therapy engaging. If your child loves trains, why not practice vocabulary while building a track? Incorporating interests sparks excitement and keeps your child motivated.

6. Embrace Technology

Too much screen time is never good. However, there is such a thing as just enough. Screens can be as advantageous as they are problematic to your child’s learning. It all comes down to using the proper apps and technology and level of supervision. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices like Proloquo2Go give children who struggle with verbal communication a voice. They make therapy interactive and engaging, opening up new possibilities for self-expression.

7. Make It Personal

No two children with autism are the same, so it’s important to customize the care your child receives to match their unique profile. At Monarch House, we start things with a thorough assessment of your child’s communication skills and preferences. Goals are carefully tailored to suit their abilities, making progress feel achievable and rewarding. A clear, customized plan keeps everyone on course.

8. Introduce Visual Aids

Just because we are focusing on speech pathology, doesn’t mean we can’t make use of visual supports as well. Pictographs, picture cards, storyboards, or apps can help your child grasp concepts more easily. Perhaps they might use an interactive picture to ask for their favourite book, or a pictograph as a way to tell you they want to take a nap. These tools are good starting places to help bridge the communication gap.

9. Find A Calming Space

At Monarch House, we pay particular attention to lighting, temperature, and texture. For a child with autism, sensory overload can easily derail a session. So we do everything we can to create a sensory-friendly environment for your child. We make use of dimmable lights, noise-canceling headphones, fuzzy blankets, and calming, safe spaces throughout the clinic. This sets the stage for focus and, ultimately, successful learning.

10. Check The Compass Regularly

It’s important to remember that progress isn’t always linear, and that’s okay. At the clinic, we regularly review goals and celebrate milestones—big or small. This keeps therapy aligned with your child’s evolving needs. By being attentive to the progress and making necessary adjustments as we go, we ensure that no matter which path your child takes, they remain on track.

At Monarch House we have a professional, interdisciplinary staff or occupational therapists, behavioural therapists, psychotherapists, and speech pathologists that are here to help your child communicate. Speech therapy can help your child with autism express their needs, share their thoughts, and build meaningful connections, while our other forms of therapy help to fill in the gaps. At the end of the day, what we are dealing with is more than just a way to form words—it’s their means to build connection with the outside world. At Monarch House, we bring everyone into the fold. We work with caregivers, siblings, extended family, counsellors, therapists, teachers, educational assistants, and of course you, to build a customized, personalized strategy specifically for your child. Our ultimate goal is to foster the greatest independence we possibly can in your child’s day-to-day life. As adults, we might not always be able to get what we want, but with the right communication tools we can certainly express our needs. This is what we want for your child: the means to find their voice and thrive.