For children with autism spectrum disorder, communication development is a crucial focus of therapy and at-home practice. Speech and language goals, often set in collaboration with therapists, are essential for improving a child’s ability to express themselves, understand others, and navigate social interactions.
By embedding these goals into everyday activities, parents can create a natural and engaging environment for their children to practice skills learned in therapy. Today, we’re looking at some simple ways to incorporate speech and language practice into your daily routines at home.
Why At-Home Practice is Important
Speech and language development doesn’t just happen in therapy sessions. Consistent practice in everyday settings helps reinforce the skills your child is learning and allows them to use these abilities in real-world situations. By incorporating speech and language goals into activities your child already enjoys, you can make learning fun and less structured while building their confidence.
Tips for Embedding Speech and Language Goals into Daily Activities
Make Mealtimes a Learning Moment
Mealtimes offer numerous opportunities for speech and language development:
- Labeling Food: Encourage your child to name the foods on their plate. Use simple phrases like “apple,” “juice,” or “cheese” and model the words if they’re not yet verbal.
- Requesting: Ask your child to request items they want, such as “more milk” or “pass the spoon.” If verbal requests are challenging, using gestures or picture cards is a great starting point.
- Turn-Taking: Practice conversational turn-taking by asking your child questions like “What do you like to eat?” and waiting for their response.
Build Language During Play
Playtime is a natural opportunity to engage your child while working on language goals:
- Imaginative Play: Use toys to act out simple scenarios, like a tea party or a car race. Narrate the actions and encourage your child to do the same.
- Following Directions: Create games that involve simple directions, like “put the block on the tower” or “bring me the blue car.”
- Describing and Asking Questions: During play, describe the toys and actions in detail (“The car is red and fast”) and ask open-ended questions to prompt your child to engage (“What should the doll do next?”).
Use Daily Routines for Practice
Everyday tasks like getting dressed or tidying up can double as language practice:
- Sequencing: Talk through the steps of an activity, such as “First, we put on socks, then shoes.” This builds an understanding of order and routines.
- Action Words: Introduce verbs like “put,” “take,” “open,” and “close” during tasks. For example, say “Let’s open the drawer” as you do it together.
Storytime and Reading
Reading books together is one of the best ways to promote speech and language skills:
- Point and Label: Point to pictures and label objects, animals, or characters. Encourage your child to repeat or point to the items as well.
- Ask Questions: Pause during the story to ask questions, such as “What do you think will happen next?”
- Interactive Books: Use books with flaps or textures to engage your child while adding sensory input.
Incorporate ABA Therapy Goals
If your child is in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, ask DOCTOR/PRACTICE for specific speech and language goals that you can practice at home. These might include skills like making eye contact during conversations, using two-word phrases, or understanding basic commands.
Making Practice Fun and Consistent
Children learn best when they’re having fun, so keep activities light and engaging. Celebrate their successes with plenty of praise and reinforcement, and don’t worry about perfection—progress is what matters. Consistency is key, so try to include speech and language practice in your routines every day.
Supporting Communication Growth at Home
Incorporating speech and language goals into at-home activities is a powerful way to support your child’s communication journey. With a little creativity and the guidance of your child’s therapist, you can turn everyday moments into opportunities for growth. Remember, the small steps you take today help build a foundation for their confidence and communication in the future!
Contact Spectrum of Smiles to explore ABA therapy for your child with autism. We offer at-home ABA therapy, along with in-clinic ABA therapy at our offices in Chicago and Highland.
Sources:
https://www.forbrain.com/autism-learning/autism-therapy-at-home/
https://behavioral-innovations.com/blog/implement-aba-therapy-strategies-at-home/
https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-speech-therapy-exercises/
