Speech and language therapy can be an important support for autistic children. It helps them build real-life communication skills to express their feelings, thoughts, needs and wishes. A speech and language assessment is the first step to understanding the unique way your child communicates and the supports that are just right for them.
When might your child benefit from a Speech & Language Assessment?
Autism is associated with differences in speech, language and communication. This can look like:
- Using little or no speech
- Language development that follows a different timeline or pattern
- Differences in social communication style (such as preferring not to make eye contact or finding taking turns in conversation challenging)
- Finding it easier to share information in structured or supported ways, rather than recounting events spontaneously
- Using repetition (echolalia) as a meaningful communication strategy
- Benefiting from clear, concrete and supported instructions
You may already have noticed some of these. There may also be other features of your child’s speech, language or communication you have noticed.
Why an assessment is of benefit?
As part of our Autism Assessment process, the Psychologist working with your child may feel a full speech and language assessment would provide useful information. This is a separate assessment with a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT).
The report shares the SLT’s professional understanding of your child. It will give a diagnosis (if applicable) and recommendations for further support or interventions. These might include:
- One-on-one therapy
- Group workshops
- Parent and carer workshops
- Strategies for school and home
It will also suggest clear, practical goals to help you understand how the supports will work to help your child thrive in all areas of their life.
About Constellation Healthcare
Constellation Healthcare is a leading provider of neurodevelopmental assessments and supports, including autism assessments, in Ireland. Our assessments are carried out by expert Clinical, Educational and Counselling Psychologists, along with CORU-registered Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists – using best practice, evidence-based tools.
At the heart of our services is a deep commitment to personalised, child- and family-centred care. We recognise every child is unique, and we value their individual strengths while supporting them to reach their full potential. We tailor our support, and work with warmth, empathy and respect. From the first phone call to post-diagnosis supports, our multidisciplinary team works closely with families to provide clear guidance, clinical expertise and assurance at every step. We believe that accessing support for neurodivergent children should be simple, straightforward and timely.
Contributors
- Joanne Fine, Clinical Lead, Speech & Language Therapy, Constellation Healthcare
- Jordan O’Connor, Speech and Language Therapist, Constellation Healthcare
- Kate O’Sullivan, Speech and Language Therapist, Constellation Healthcare