Speech Language Pathology (SLP)

Introduction

Speech Language Pathologists or Therapists are qualified professionals who help with the development of speech, language, communications and vocalizations. SLPs work with children on the Autism Spectrum from non-verbal to excessively verbal kids who need help with conversations and social interactions. The SLP will evaluate your child and create a customized speech/language program depending on your child's individual needs. These sessions usually include the therapist and child working together to increase the child's speech and communication.

If your child has limited receptive and expressive language, as well as auditory processing difficulties, you many want to find a speech pathologist trained in teaching functional language. This helps a child learn language through association with their environment and with different modalities.

Related Sites

Speech and Language Kids
Description: This site provides resources for SLPs, parents, and educators.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Description: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website answers questions about speech and communication techniques used on children with Autism.

Books

Improving Speech and Eating Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders - An Oral Motor Program for Home and School by Maureen A. Flanagan
Description: This plan of treatment focuses not only on speech problems, but also difficulty with hypersensitivity in the mouth. With the ability to work on mouth movements at home and school, the special needs child could see improvement in oral tactile sensitivity, expansion in dietary tolerances, and positive changes in speech abilities.

Here's How to Do Therapy: Hands-On Core Skills in Speech Language Pathology by Debra M. Dwigh
Description: Created in the style of a workshop, this book captures the key features needed to enhance speech therapy sessions. An accompanying DVD showcases many short real-life clips for learning language skills.

Tools

Rethink Autism: Teach Your Child Functional Language
Description: This video explains the uses of functional language for the child with autism.

Baby BumbleBee Video
Description: Video modeling DVDs and materials to help develop speech are provided at this web site.

Parent Forums/Blogs

Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.

Forum/Blog Name: Autism India Network
Description: Autism India Network is a platform to discuss about Early Intervention and the different approaches in managing and training the children affected with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Occupational Therapy, Sensory Integration, Speech Language Pathology, Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Psychiatry, Developmental Disability, GFCF Diet, Bio-medical intervention, Ayurveda, Homeo and non-conventional treatments, different methodologies like ABA, VBA and TEACCH and new researches in different fields, with specific relation to Autism in India can be discussed here.

Forum/Blog Name: Parents Association from Comm deall
Description: The Communication DEALL program has been developed by Dr. Prathibha Karanth, a pioneer in the field of Speech-Language Pathology in India. It was developed for children with communication disorders such as Specific Language Impairment (SLI), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) / Autism (ASD) and Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia (DVD).

Consumer Corner

Speech Therapy Forum
Description: Speech Therapy Forum is dedicated to providing professionals and parents with informed reviews of speech therapy games and activities to use with children and adolescents to help improve their communication skills.

Learning Resources and Textbooks
Description: Software, textbooks, assessment tools, as well as downloadable products are available.

Community Library

Speech Therapy Ideas for Autistic Children
Description: Article with numerous speech therapy ideas for children with autism from early childhood through middle school years.

Speech-Language Therapy for Autistic Children
Description: Article describing how speech language therapy can help children with autism.

(coming soon)