Joshua Center for Neurological Disorders - St. Louis

Speech therapy is almost always recommended for autistic children since many people with autism have difficulty with social communication. Even if a child is very verbal and says a lot of words, they might need to work on communication skills like: 

• responding to questions
• starting or ending conversation
• changing conversation topics
• using gestures like pointing
• understanding other people's body language 

Speech therapy is a big focus in early intervention for autistic children and is usually the starting place for recently diagnosed kids. There is a critical period in the brain for language development and so, it's really important to teach language and communication skills as early as possible, especially if there are any delays in that area. Your child will learn effective ways to communicate which will help them grow into more independent and confident individuals.

It might be obvious when a child struggles with speaking —they are very quiet, say only a few words, or don't speak at all.

Spot speech and language delays like a doctor here.

The goal of speech therapy is to help your child communicate effectively with other people across all environments. This may take the form of using gestures, simple signs, verbal speech, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

Some other common things speech therapists can help with:

• Nonverbal skills, such as signs or gestures
• Forming speech in a clearer way
• Communicating thoughts and feelings clearly
• Understanding and responding to questions
• Discerning facial expressions and their corresponding emotions
• Noticing and understanding body language
• Feeding and swallowing
• Stuttering

Autism-friendly camps come in all shapes and sizes, making it easier for you to find the one that best suits your needs. An autism-friendly camp may come in the form of a day camp, meaning you drop your child off in the morning and pick them up later that afternoon, or as an overnight camp. The camp programs can range in length from a few days to a few weeks. The campers that attend autism-friendly camps may be autistic only or a mixture of neurotypical and neurodivergent kids. When it comes to support for your child, some camps offer 1:1 support while others have a higher camper-to-counselor ratio. 

When choosing the perfect camp for your child there are five key things you should keep in mind:

1. Interests: What does your child like to do? A sports camp probably wouldn’t be a good fit for your little bookworm. Finding the right summer camp that sparks your child’s excitement will aid in transitioning to and from camp, while also ensuring they enjoy their experience.
2. Professional Support: How much support does your child need? A traveling camp may not be best for your child who tends to elope. Some camps offer 1:1 support for your child, while others may have a higher camper-to-counselor ratio. When looking for a camp, pay close attention to those ratios to ensure there is adequate support for your child’s unique needs.
3. Specializations: Does the camp specialize in a specific area? If your child is nonverbal and the camp has excellent experience working with nonverbal children, it may be the perfect fit!
4. Responsiveness and Accommodations: Pay special attention to camps that meet with you one-on-one either by phone, video chat, or in person, to mark out a personalized support plan for your child. You can relax knowing they’re on top of things and making sure your child is properly supported. Don’t be afraid to ask tons of questions —a great camp will welcome them!
5. Location and Commitment: Not many people like a long commute. You know your child’s comfort level better than anyone else, so you’ll know what’s best for them, whether it’s a half-day camp, a full day, or an overnight experience.

Here are just a few of the benefits of summer camp for autistic children: 

Fostering Social Skills: Summer camp is an excellent opportunity for your child to learn about different social scenarios they may face as they grow up and provide them first-hand experience in how to approach those situations in a safe and supportive environment.

Maintaining Mental Stimulation: With school out during the summer months, a child with autism may be missing out on many of the core structures inherently provided by the classroom and their classmates. No matter what sort of camp you choose or your child’s unique needs and interests, summer camp is a great way to keep your child mentally stimulated and challenged. 

Friendship: Depending on the camp size, campers are often divided into smaller groups defined by age, interests, gender, and/or needs. These groups not only give your child the opportunity to closely identify with a group that they belong to but provide them an opportunity to learn how to make friends.

Independence and Confidence: Possibly the greatest benefit of summer camp for your child is the independence they gain. While the counselors are there for support and guidance, kids will have their own responsibilities and choices to make while at camp. Your child will be doing activities independently and actively learning what they like and don’t like. Having these sorts of experiences can boost a child’s self-confidence and nurture your child’s natural curiosity about the world. 

Here are a few alternative options to consider:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps by identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It's useful for those dealing with social anxiety or difficulties. CBT addresses cognitive patterns and provides strategies to manage social challenges.
• Group therapy: Group therapy offers a supportive space where individuals can practice social skills. They can feedback from peers and a therapist. It allows interaction with others who understand and learn from each other.
• Play-based interventions: Play therapy or play-based interventions work well for younger children or those who learn through experiences. Play activities target specific social skills like turn-taking and problem-solving in a safe and engaging setting.

The occupational therapy process includes an OT evaluation before care starts. Here are the four steps your family can expect when starting occupational therapy:

1. Complete OT evaluation. An occupational therapist first identifies your child’s strengths and needs through a thorough OT evaluation, also known as an OT assessment or screening. You’ll answer questions about your child’s skills, and your child will most likely demonstrate their skills via hands-on activities with the therapist. Evaluations can last 30 minutes to a few hours.
2. Approve OT plan. The therapist develops a care plan with individualized goals and customized interventions based on your child’s needs. You can also share any specific goals or concerns before approving the OT plan.
3. Start therapy sessions. The therapist works directly with your child and your family, using various strategies and exercises to systematically improve areas of limitations and to build upon a child’s strengths. Some exercises your child might participate in are animal walks, obstacle courses, and therapy swing activities. Your family may learn strategies for supporting your child’s individualized needs at home, such as ways of supporting emotional regulation and sensory processing. The therapist may also recommend tools and techniques to use at home, in the community, or in the classroom to help your child succeed.
4. Monitor your child’s progress. Parents and caregivers can expect ongoing progress monitoring and communication to ensure the child is achieving their short and long-term goals.

Occupational therapy can also be provided virtually via telemedicine. Virtual therapy is a great option for families in rural areas who may not have access to in-person services, or for families who prefer to have therapy in their child’s home.

Virtual OT allows the opportunity for increased caregiver participation and understanding of a child’s strengths, areas of improvement, and generalization of skills in the child’s home environment. Virtual therapy also provides increased opportunities for caregiver and family education to support the child and the family based on each family’s needs.