Red Flags of Autism

• No babbling by 11 months of age
• No simple gestures by 12 months (e.g., waving bye-bye)
• No single words by 16 months
• No 2-word phrases by 24 months (noun + verb – e.g., “baby sleeping”)
• No response when name is called, causing concern about hearing
• Loss of any language or social skills at any age
• Odd or repetitive ways of moving fingers or hands
• Oversensitive to certain textures, sounds or lights
• Lack of interest in toys, or plays with them in an unusual way (e.g., lining up, spinning, opening/closing parts rather than using the toy as a whole)
• Compulsions or rituals (has to perform activities in a special way or certain sequence; is prone to tantrums if rituals are interrupted)
• Preoccupations with unusual interests, such as light switches, doors, fans, wheels
• Unusual fears
• Rarely makes eye contact when interacting with people
• Does not play peek-a-boo
• Doesn’t point to show things he/she is interested in
• Rarely smiles socially
• More interested in looking at objects than at people’s faces
• Prefers to play alone
• Doesn’t make attempts to get parent’s attention; doesn’t follow/look when someone is pointing at something
• Seems to be “in his/her own world”
• Doesn’t respond to parent’s attempts to play, even if relaxed
• Avoids or ignores other children when they approach

How a Speech Therapist Can Help

The Speech Therapist will assess the child’s speech, language and communication skills and provide services to effect significant changes within the following areas:

• Speech – articulation and intelligibility of speech
• Language skills – the understanding and use of language (also known as receptive/comprehension and expressive skills)
• Communication skills – requesting skills, commenting, conversational skills, etc.
• The social use of language – pragmatic language skills
• Reading skills – the ability to decode words and read with meaning/comprehension
• Written language skills – the ability to write for a variety of purposes
• Vocal quality – the rate, rhythm, and speaking style
• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) – sign language, Picture Exchange Communication System, voice-output devices such as GoTalk or iPad/iPhone with Proloquo2go.

Therapy sessions can be individual, or can take place in a small or large group settings.

It is so important to keep in mind that no one person with Autism is the same. Each person is unique in their strengths and areas of difficulty and there is a wide range of levels of impairment. Many children with Autism are quite intelligent and can be successful and competent adults.