Socialization is a Darwinian trait that has allowed us to succeed where other, more physically adept species have failed. Socialization It helps foster knowledge sharing, teamwork, and helps establish alliances.People who are socially isolated don't share the benefits of socialization. Autism spectrum disorder affects our children with this condition in different ways.
Generally, children with ASD prefer to be alone, this is because they do not understand social norms and guidelines or do not know how to respond to displays of both affection and anger, given his difficulty in understanding the actions of other people.
If you have doubts about whether your child needs speech therapy, don't miss this article.
With this in mind, we share some strategies that can help your teenager improve their social skills and speech.
- Encourage play and social interaction. Children and adolescents learn through play, and that includes learning language. Interactive play provides enjoyable opportunities for you and your child to communicate. Try a variety of games to find the ones your child enjoys. Also, try playful activities that promote social interaction. Examples include singing, reciting lullabies, and tickling games. During your interactions, position yourself in front of your child and close to eye level, so it's easier for them to see and hear you.
- Imitate your child. Imitating your child's play sounds and behaviors will encourage more vocalization and interaction. It also encourages your child to copy you and take turns. Be sure to imitate how your child is playing, as long as it's a positive behavior. For example, when your child rolls a car, you do too. If he or she crashes the car, you crash yours too. But don't imitate rolling the car!
- Focus on nonverbal communication. Gestures and eye contact can build a foundation for language. Encourage your child by modeling and responding to these behaviors. Exaggerate your gestures. Use both your body and your voice when communicating, for example, reaching out to point when you say "look" and nodding your head when you say "yes." Use gestures that are easy for your child to imitate. Examples include clapping your hands, opening your hands, holding out your arms, etc. Respond to your child's gestures: When they look at or point to a toy, give it to them or take the cue to play with it. Similarly, point to the toy you want before picking it up.
- Leave space for your child to talk. It's natural to feel the need to complete a conversation when a child or adolescent doesn't respond immediately. But it's very important to give your child plenty of opportunities to communicate, even if they're not speaking. When you ask a question or see that your child wants something, pause for several seconds while looking expectantly. Listen for any sounds or body movements and respond quickly. The speed of your response helps your child feel the power of communication.
- Simplify your language. Doing so helps your child follow what you're saying. It also makes it easier for her to imitate your speech. If your child is nonverbal, try speaking mostly in single words. (If she's playing with a ball, you say "ball" or "roll"). If your child speaks single words, up the ante. Speak in short phrases, such as "roll the ball" or "throw the ball." Follow this "one" rule: Generally use phrases with one more word than your child uses.
- Follow your child's interests. Instead of interrupting your child's focus, follow the words. Using the one rule, narrate what your child is doing. If you're playing with a shape sorter, you might say the word "inside" when you place a shape in its slot. You might say "shape" when you pick up the shape and "dump shapes" when you pull them out to start over. By talking about what engages your child, you'll help them learn the associated vocabulary.
- Consider assistive devices and visual aids. Assistive technologies and visual aids can do more than replace speech. They can foster its development. Examples include devices and apps with pictures that your child touches to produce words. On a simpler level, visual aids can include pictures and groups of pictures that your child can use to indicate requests and thoughts. For example, your child can benefit from the benefits of music therapy in language development, as is the case with the learning program. VICON method.
It is also worth noting that story reading is a communication strategy, don't miss this one. information about it.
Your child's therapists are specially qualified to help you select and use these and other strategies to encourage language development. Tell the therapist about your successes as well as any difficulties you may have. By working with your child's intervention team, you can help provide the support your child needs to find his or her unique voice. Also, don't miss the following recommendations that will help you generate communication situations.