Four Methods To Help Your Child Communicate
Children with Asperger's syndrome and/or autism often need treatments to help them improve their communication skills either because they do not speak well or do not speak at all. It can be the most frustrating thing in the world to want to communicate with your child but not be able to. This is obviously very frustrating for the child as well because all of their wants, needs, and feelings are going unexpressed. This can lead to acting out and other behavior problems.
Fortunately, there are methods to improve communication skills for those with autism and Asperger's syndrome.
1. Sign language
Some people advocate teaching nonverbal kids and adults sign language. Often, they will be able to communicate with their hands what they cannot with their voice. Some parents resist this, thinking that if they teach their kid how to sign, and he or she has a little bit of language, the kid will use the sign language as a "crutch" and never make the effort to speak. This is not a valid argument, because verbal speech is a real effort for these kids, if they're able to even do it at all. Wouldn't you rather your child have some way of communicating his basic needs to you than none at all?
2. PECS
PECS stands for the Picture Exchange Communication System.
Kids are taught to point to pictures of things they want, or pictures that show how they are feeling. They are given rewards for pointing out pictures of something they want. For example, if they want a drink, they will be shown a picture of water, and if they give the picture of water to the adult, they will be given a reward.
After a while, they will learn to use the PECS pictures to communicate their needs and feelings. Usually, a binder with symbols and pictures with words that are appropriate to the child is created and carried everywhere, so that the child has a means of communication.
3. Facilitated communication
Facilitated communication is a type of communication where the person is able to type their thoughts, often with the support of another person supporting their arm. Many completely nonverbal kids are able to communicate for the first time using facilitated communication.
A lot of kids and adults will be able to type completely independently, but some cannot. Because of this, facilitated communication is a somewhat controversial method. Some people believe that the person is not actually communicating, but the people supporting them are. However, there are many people who are able to type independently – some of whom have made videos to prove this – and they seem to give validity to this method.
Another interesting device is called a Lightwriter. These have a small keyboard with a speech synthesizer. A person types into it, and their words are translated in seconds into spoken speech. It is small enough to carry wherever you go.
4. Social Stories
One very useful and widely used technique that can help kids with Asperger's – and that doesn't cost much money – is writing "social stories".
Social stories are books of some sort that talk about how to do a certain social activity, and provide step-by-step instructions. Kids with Asperger's typically need to see things visually. And they need to refer back to instructions relatively frequently. They also need step-by-step instructions. All of these components fit together very well for the idea of a social story.
You can create your own social stories or buy pre-made ones for common situations. The more your child understands what to expect, the better he or she will function. Social stories work because they take common social events and break them into the smallest of steps. Simply telling the child what will happen is often not enough though; he needs to be able to look at it. If the information is in a book, he or she can read it over and over again at their leisure, and slowly, understanding will dawn.
Conclusion
Kids with Asperger's and other autism spectrum disorders often have great trouble communicating…to the point of being completely nonverbal. This is frustrating for all involved. But luckily, effective Asperger's syndrome treatments exist to help many of these symptoms and improve the speech and communication deficits of children on the autism spectrum.
Hopefully these tips can make life a little easier. In addition to these four methods, there are many other tips and suggestions that can help your loved one live a fulfilling and happy life. If you want your loved one to be happy and succeed in life learn about Asperger's solutions. Don't just survive with Asperger's, thrive.
5 Responses to Asperger’s Syndrome Treatments – Four Methods To Help Your Child Communicate
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i have a 6yr old son that is a twin and he has had issues w/speach and behavior issues, he tends to get aggrivated w/the littlest things and will throw a fit. i mentioned this syndrome to his dr. and they are gona look more into it….how do they test them to actually diagnose them. i have never heard of this before, but everything he does makes since when i’m reading this. he also has a issue w/using the toilet, not sure if this is because of the feeling of hard surface. any extra info would help. i want him to succeed in life and not feel like everyone is against him
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My son newly diagnosed Asperger’s how do I help? He’s 17 years old.
Our 8 year old has Asperger’s and we use the guide / information you make available to us everyday in our lives -- such as decreasing anxiety, how to prepare for the next year & how others can help us. I am attaching a photo of our son Chance-8 years old and is making progress everyday. I also sent a family picture from Christmas. He works very hard at everything he does. Thanks for being there for my family and others.
I hope this reaches out to those who have young ones with Aspergers for this will help answers those "whys and why nots". 
I just started your book 2 days ago. It's like I’ve been starving & it's food! It's nice to read stuff where I don't feel like my 7 yr old is defective. I’ve known that all along the main reason I even want to put a label on her differences is because I want to be a better, more effective mom to her. Thanks for the time & effort you put into researching this & writing your books to help others like me. Sherilin Vickery Riley, Chattanooga, TN
I enjoy and appreciate the information, anything to help my son and my own understanding of what life is like for Nicholas. It also helps me educate my son's teacher and EA which this process is ongoing and at times very frustrating.
My name is Matt Turner from Australia. I have a 6 y.o. with Aspergers (fairly mild). I found your work insightful and helpful - my wife is a doctor and spent many hours wading through medical texts to no avail. Our son Finley Turner is a very bright, friendly, healthy, unconditionally loved boy who can lose it sometimes. The guide helped us understand what to do and it helps him as much as us. Thanks for the work and I have recommended you to other parents in similar situations.
I found your articles to be extremely helpful...I applaud you for sharing your story and helping others who are going through similar situations. Thank you for sharing your story.
I was pleasantly surprised by the consistency, and thoroughness of the topics. I think this is a valuable tool for anyone who has someone with Aspergers or knows some who has Aspergers. I think this was a valuable tool for me because as a parent we all need a kick in the butt and stay on task, constantly fighting, updating and communicating with caregivers, teachers and finding tools for our children. Keep it up!
I definitely found your information helpful. My grandson was just diagnosed this summer. He is very smart and sweet. We will continue to be an advocate for him thanks to your information. I am including a picture of him. Thank you,
"Hi my son of 3 and a half years was diagnosed today, I had concerns so prior to his appointment I researched it and joined your newsletter. The information was so helpful and very supportive it was almost like having a counselor as I opened each email I felt like some one really understood my situation so thanks you so much for that, it's a very hard thing to accept and you do feel alone but with the letters I was given inspiration and hope that not everything was going to be doom and gloom it was and still is a lifeline. Mr. and Mrs. Allcok, ST Albans, Hertfordshire, England
"I have found the newsletters very valuable. I have forwarded them to teachers who work with Matthias when they apply."
I have been reading your Newsletter for a while now. Find attached a picture of my family. Joel is the little boy in glasses. Thanks for putting a smile on me. My knowledge and support is increasing. I feel more positive towards helping my son than ever.
I am Ben's grandmother and see him every single day. He is a joy. What your info does is help us to understand the melt downs that quite frankly we have always put down to the meds that he takes. We have proved your theory of a strict regime for Ben. Each letter adds to our knowledge. Keep it up dear friend. We learn from you every day and will I am sure continue to learn. God Bless you.
Your newsletters have been extremely helpful to me. They are easy to read, and cover important topics that are relevant to what I'm looking for. I'm a clinical social worker at a private art college in NYC. Thank you for taking the time to put something like this together! Sincerely,
My son was diagnosed with mild Aspergers in 1st grade, he is now in 6th grade and heading into a very emotional, hormonal and social area in life that is commonly hard for an average person non the less as aspie. do you have any book recommendations, advice, direction for us in these reguards. He has no friends other than his soccer team, yet in the 7th grade here which he will be headed into they do not have a localized school soccer team, but only through the community sports era. His issues really are in reguards to acceptance, keeping friends (most all of his neighborhood friends have moved away which has aleniated him and he now spends tons of time on the computer, playing games and such which we feel is totally unhealthly in so many areas). Maybe you have a program or web sights that he as a 12 year old could search, play, direct, guide him…? He has lots of issues with communication in reguards to simple talk of keeping a conversation going, unless it is something he wants to talk about. Has issues in reguards to doing other things that other kids like to do.