Speech and OT for a child with ASD is nearly a must. I will explain.
First, speech is way more than articulation and stuttering. It includes both speech AND language skills. It is the language part that is a stickler for most kids with ASD. And unfortunately it is harder to treat than articulation issues so you need a SLP (Speech Langauge Pathologist) who is well experienced with this type of language deficit. Mostly they have trouble with pragmatic langauge and sometimes with langauge processing.
Check out Michelle Garcia Winners page (www dot socialthinking dot com). I am seeing her talk in 2 hours! She is a SLP who has specialized in kids with "social cognitive deficits" and has a couple great books about this particular type of speech therapy. See if you schools may have a copy of her book to borrow or your local ASA. Her books are pricey but worth it but you may want to check through them first.
Next, for OT, they mainly work on fine motor skills (handwriting, etc) and sensory processing. Both can be a trouble spot for ASD kids particularly sensory processing, so you need an OT who has alot of sensory training and experience. You mentioned Henry's behavioral troubles in school. A sensory diet and OT may help with that.
BTW, I am currently working PT as an OT aide. I was a teacher but my credential expired and I can't commit to a full time job due to the autism in house. I am currently in school again to renew and get my state sp. ed credential (I always taught special ed but under an emergency credential. SInce it has been so long I have to nearly start from scratch). At any rate if you have questions about what OT's do I can answer loads more but for now I have to run so I can get to the conference on time!
Renee did a great job explaining and I just want add a little bit.
My son has issues with pragmatics speech in social settings. Another speech issue he has is being able to hold a conversation that isn't about his obsessive interest. 90% of what my son converses about is related to space, Star Wars and astronauts. It is very difficult to get him to have a conversation about something that doesn't interest him.
With regard to OT, this is something we really need for handwriting with my son. He absolutely hates writing. He is capable but it is so difficult to get him to write. We are hoping our OT will help us on this.
Hi Robin! My son did not qualify for OT through our school - unfortunately we have an OT on staff who does not deal with sensory issues at all......I was actually told at a meeting that my son did not qualify for OT because his handwriting is fine. Anyway, he has a lot of sensory issues (chewing on everything, verbal stim/tics, alot of sensory seeking activities) so I pay for him to see a private OT. He just started to see her twice a month for 45 minutes.....after she works with him, she gives me some activities to work on with him at home. There has been a substantial decrease in the chewing......he doesn't chew on anything at home and it has decreased in school quite a bit as well. He also had low muscle tone.....she gave us some exercises to help with that as well as his swimming lessons......
I think speech (for social skills and pragmatics) and OT are really things you should look into.....
Robin, I couldn't explain it any better than Renee and she is absolutely right when she said it is a must for a child on the spectrum. OT is big in our house because for my 2 kids it seems to be at the core of their problems. They both have sensory issues and Jake has major motor planning problems. His fine motor is improving to the point that he can now take of SOME of his clothes at 3.5yrs after getting OT for 2.5 years every week!!!!Jake also gets speech for pragmatics and he also is one who harps on about his obsession(solar system).
Speech and OT for a child with ASD is nearly a must. I will explain.
First, speech is way more than articulation and stuttering. It includes both speech AND language skills. It is the language part that is a stickler for most kids with ASD. And unfortunately it is harder to treat than articulation issues so you need a SLP (Speech Langauge Pathologist) who is well experienced with this type of language deficit. Mostly they have trouble with pragmatic langauge and sometimes with langauge processing.
Check out Michelle Garcia Winners page (www dot socialthinking dot com). I am seeing her talk in 2 hours! She is a SLP who has specialized in kids with "social cognitive deficits" and has a couple great books about this particular type of speech therapy. See if you schools may have a copy of her book to borrow or your local ASA. Her books are pricey but worth it but you may want to check through them first.
Next, for OT, they mainly work on fine motor skills (handwriting, etc) and sensory processing. Both can be a trouble spot for ASD kids particularly sensory processing, so you need an OT who has alot of sensory training and experience. You mentioned Henry's behavioral troubles in school. A sensory diet and OT may help with that.
BTW, I am currently working PT as an OT aide. I was a teacher but my credential expired and I can't commit to a full time job due to the autism in house. I am currently in school again to renew and get my state sp. ed credential (I always taught special ed but under an emergency credential. SInce it has been so long I have to nearly start from scratch). At any rate if you have questions about what OT's do I can answer loads more but for now I have to run so I can get to the conference on time!
Renee
Renee did a great job explaining and I just want add a little bit.
My son has issues with pragmatics speech in social settings. Another speech issue he has is being able to hold a conversation that isn't about his obsessive interest. 90% of what my son converses about is related to space, Star Wars and astronauts. It is very difficult to get him to have a conversation about something that doesn't interest him.
With regard to OT, this is something we really need for handwriting with my son. He absolutely hates writing. He is capable but it is so difficult to get him to write. We are hoping our OT will help us on this.
Hi Robin! My son did not qualify for OT through our school - unfortunately we have an OT on staff who does not deal with sensory issues at all......I was actually told at a meeting that my son did not qualify for OT because his handwriting is fine. Anyway, he has a lot of sensory issues (chewing on everything, verbal stim/tics, alot of sensory seeking activities) so I pay for him to see a private OT. He just started to see her twice a month for 45 minutes.....after she works with him, she gives me some activities to work on with him at home. There has been a substantial decrease in the chewing......he doesn't chew on anything at home and it has decreased in school quite a bit as well. He also had low muscle tone.....she gave us some exercises to help with that as well as his swimming lessons......
I think speech (for social skills and pragmatics) and OT are really things you should look into.....
just my two pennies....
Christie
Robin,
I couldn't explain it any better than Renee and she is absolutely right when she said it is a must for a child on the spectrum. OT is big in our house because for my 2 kids it seems to be at the core of their problems. They both have sensory issues and Jake has major motor planning problems. His fine motor is improving to the point that he can now take of SOME of his clothes at 3.5yrs after getting OT for 2.5 years every week!!!!Jake also gets speech for pragmatics and he also is one who harps on about his obsession(solar system).
Teresa