One of the more frequently asked questions in our motor speech training courses is about how to support children who also have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Although there isn’t yet a consensus in the research literature about how often motor speech disorders and ASD occur together, it is clear that some autistic children also struggle to develop and refine their motor speech skills.

So how can we best serve these children and their families when they come to us for help?

Molly Beiting, an SLP and now PhD candidate at Temple University, has been pondering this question, too, with a particular focus on Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). She combed through the relevant literature and compiled her findings in an hour-long webinar that you can watch for free at Apraxia Kids (scroll down to “CAS and Autism”).

HIGHLIGHTS: ASSESSMENT

Here are the presenter’s take-home messages about assessing motor speech disorders in this population:

  • Do a comprehensive speech and language evaluation. Make sure to include a conversational speech sample analysis.
  • Plan for the assessment to take several sessions. Break tasks into smaller chunks, with lots of reinforcement.
  • Embed tasks in play when possible.
  • Highlight the meanings of words with picture support, actions and real objects.
  • Minimize verbal directions and use visual strategies to support receptive language and facilitate attention.

HIGHLIGHTS: THERAPY

The presenter also summarizes tips for motor speech therapy for autistic children:

  • Use an evidence-based CAS treatment approach if it works for the client.
  • If needed, consider modifications to CAS treatment based on what we know works from the ASD literature (for example, a combination of drill and naturalistic practice, parent involvement).
  • If needed, work on prerequisite skills first (such as imitation, joint attention, sound repertoire).
  • Target motor speech in conjunction with language – AAC will be part of the approach for children with ASD + CAS and minimal verbal ability.
  • Re-evaluate often and change the plan as new strengths and weaknesses emerge.

OUR TAKE

The findings and recommendations summarized in the webinar appear to complement the Motor Speech Treatment Protocol well.

We especially appreciate that the presenter acknowledged that there isn’t a single “packaged” therapy program available to support our work with this population.

Instead, we need to combine the best of:

  • what we know about the individual child and family;
  • what the research literature tells us about the principles of speech motor learning, and
  • what the research literature tells us about how autistic children learn best.

AN OBSERVATION OPPORTUNITY

So many of you ask to see additional examples of motor speech control in children. The video clips included in this webinar offer great examples of children who are struggling with motor speech control.

Have a look at the video clips of “Julien” and “Tommy”. What do you notice about their speech movements? What do you think their preferred movement patterns are? What other information would you want to have in order to develop speech goals for these children?

Then, head on over to this thread in our members-only discussion forum to see what others noticed, to ask a question, or to share your ideas.