Speech Therapy for Autism: Integrating Social Communication Goals Into Daily Routines

Autistic children often have such bright, colorful inner worlds, and one of the most beautiful parts about speech therapy for autism is giving autistic children the tools and skills they need to connect with others, express themselves, and understand the world around them in deeper and more meaningful ways. At Find My Voice Speech Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL, we help children do more than just say and memorize words. We help children with autism develop social communication skills, like taking turns, to help them grasp communication within a greater context. We do this by integrating their speech therapy goals into familiar routines at school, home, and in other safe settings where they’re comfortable learning.

Creating Connection Through Play

One of our primary approaches to speech therapy for autism spectrum disorder includes play-based activities. This is because play behaviors naturally create a context for communication and social exchanges. At Find My Voice, Rachael models both verbal and nonverbal skills, such as taking turns, using hand gestures, and expressing emotions through play. This low-stakes environment encourages children to feel confident and safe while exploring new ways to communicate both verbally and non-verbally.

Empowering Communication with AAC and Visual Supports

Many autistic children benefit from access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to help them learn to communicate and express themselves more clearly. Rachael uses these devices as tools to build connection, not as a total replacement for language. These proven tools give children a voice when speech is limited, allowing them opportunities to connect more deeply as they practice their new speech and language skills. Pairing these devices with visual supports, social scripts, and the support of family and teachers, communication becomes more accessible to children.

Caregiver and Family Participation for Daily Speech Skills Practice

Parent and/or caregiver involvement is essential for the best outcomes with speech therapy. Find My Voice Speech Therapy includes education for the families and educators of our clients so that they have the skills they need to integrate their child's social communication goals into their everyday routine. Especially for children with social communication disorder, learning vocabulary is not always the issue. In this case, modeling social scenarios and creating social scripts regularly at home can be incredibly helpful. When done correctly, things like mealtime, bath time, and story time can become moments of connection, learning, and growth that build upon the foundation Rachael creates in speech therapy. When parents can model skills and reinforce them with positive feedback at home, therapy sessions become even more valuable for progress. 

Ready to see if speech therapy is right for your child? Please reach out to us at Find My Voice today!