Speech therapy plays an exceptionally important role in supporting autistic children to communicate their wants and needs and build stronger relationships with their family, friends and new people they meet.
As parents, these goals are what we all want our children to achieve… to have confidence in themselves, to be understood and to be loved.
Speech therapy for kids can help autistic children thrive and feel confident in these areas by building foundational skills and strategies. What these skills and strategies may look like may be different for each person because all children are unique.
Speech therapy for autistic kids involves developing skills and strategies in one or more of the following areas:
- Voice
- Language
- Literacy
- Speech
- Fluency
- Social communication
- Swallowing / feeding
Although each autistic child is unique and will have their own goals to work toward, our approach to speech therapy at Pop will always include three common elements:
We understand that everyone has their own strengths and challenges.
There is no single “correct” way to learn and communicate.
We encourage individuals to find and embrace their own authentic selves.
When you start speech therapy at Pop, this neurodiversity-affirming way of working together will be part of every session
Speak to a Pop Speech Therapist Today about Speech Therapy for Autism
What is Autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition.
neuro
to do with the nervous system
+
develop
to grow and change
+
ment
the process of doing something
+
al
relating to or about
“relating to the process of how the nervous system grows and changes”
Every autistic child is unique, but some common experiences can include:
- Delayed language development – sometimes children seem to “regress” or lose words they previously used.
- Gestalt Language Processing – learning language in chunks or phrases rather than individual words. This often includes repeating back phrases they’ve heard, known as echolalia.
- “Fussy” or selective eating – reacting strongly to certain textures, often in a way that’s beyond typical preferences for toddlers or children.
- Strong need for routine and structure – preferring things to stay exactly the same and finding it challenging when changes happen unexpectedly.
- Sensory differences – being highly sensitive to things like noises or actively seeking out sensory input, such as lights or movement.
- Unique ways of playing – engaging in unique play styles and often choosing to play independently.
Autism is officially described in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as “Autism Spectrum Disorder” or “ASD”. This “medical model” language is often used in medical or NDIS reports, but isn’t preferred in daily conversation because of the emphasis it places on “disorder” rather than “difference”.
Myths About Autism and Communication
It’s a common misconception that autistic children “don’t know how to communicate or build relationships”.
This is very far from the truth!
Breakdowns in communication actually come from the mismatch between two people’s styles of communication.
Autistic children develop communication skills differently to their allistic (non-autistic) peers. Research has shown that both styles of communication are just as effective as each other. What matters most is that a person is “sending” and “receiving” messages within their preferred style (i.e. autistic to autistic, or allistic to allistic).
Challenges most often come up when there’s a mismatch in styles that neither party are accommodating for, resulting in misunderstandings and breakdowns in communication.
Causes and Need for Support
Although autism itself isn’t something that needs to be “treated” or changed, autistic children often have co-occuring conditions that they may need support with. Research (Levy et al 2010) suggests autistic kids often also have:
Language disorder ~65%
ADHD ~20%
Intellectual disability ~20%
Learning disability ~5%
These are all areas that speech pathologists (along with other health professionals such as occupational therapists or psychologists) often support.
Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder
Speech pathologists play an important role in the diagnostic process. Speech therapy is often the first contact families have with allied health when they notice their child isn’t talking or interacting with others quite like how they expect.
From there, families will typically be referred for diagnostic assessment to a paediatrician or paediatric psychologist/psychiatrist, or a multidisciplinary team (often including a speech pathologist).
How Can Speech Therapy Help a Child with Autism
Not only are speech pathologists part of an autistic child’s diagnostic team, they also support autistic individuals and their families through intervention.
Here are three practical ways speech pathologists will provide support to autistic individuals:
1) Educating and training parents and carers.
Parents can make a massive difference in the lives of their children by embedding speech therapy techniques in day-to-day activities! At Pop, parents are involved in every speech therapy session so that they can turn 45 minutes of learning for a child into a whole week of routine practising.
In session, our speech therapists draw on established child-lead programs such as Hanen’s More Than Words, or their knowledge of Gestalt Language Processing, to guide parents in interpreting and responding to their child’s communication.
2) Setting up Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) options.
AAC can provide a mental break for children by helping them to communicate using a different method. AAC can be used for many different reasons, including to ask for things or to talk about things around them (Logan et al 2022).
There’s also strong evidence to show that, rather than stopping kids from talking, using AAC can actually support their development of verbal language (Di Stefano et al 2016).
3) Supporting with wider communication goals.
Anything speech pathologists do with non-autistic children, they can do with autistic children, whether that’s providing:
Language therapy to support their ability to express themselves
Literacy therapy using READ-3, Spalding or Sounds-Write
Responsive feeding approaches to support ARFID
That’s just the tip of the iceberg! Speech pathologists consider the whole person, not just the diagnosis.
While these are three common areas a speech pathologist can provide intervention, you’ll quickly learn when you start your speech therapy journey with Pop that there’s no one “correct” way to do things. Our speech pathologists will always work with you to find strategies that work best for you and your family.
Benefits of Speech Therapy for Autistic Children
Early intervention through speech therapy can be life-changing for autistic children and their families. Helping kids communicate their wants and needs more effectively reduces frustration for everyone, paving the way for happier, healthier relationships at home, school and everyday life.
Research highlights the “critical period” for language development is ages 0-12 years old (The Australian Autism CRC, 2024). At these ages, the brain is most adaptable to learning new skills. Intervening during this time not only makes it easier for children to develop communication abilities but also sets the foundation for better long-term outcomes in health, social connections, education, and even future employment.
Impact on Academic and Social Development
Humans are naturally social beings—we thrive on connection and sharing our world with others. For autistic children, developing the skills to interact, understand, and express themselves is essential, both in the classroom and beyond.
At school, language is key to success: it’s how kids listen, learn, and show what they know through writing or presenting ideas. They need language skills to follow directions, engage in critical thinking, and solve problems. These are the skills that can also help keep them safe in the wider community, like understanding when not to step onto a busy road even though their friend “dared” them to.
On the playground and at home, strong communication helps children build relationships, advocate for themselves, and develop a realistic understanding of their own strengths and challenges. This self-awareness fosters independence and confidence, reducing feelings of anxiety and “learned helplessness.” It’s important that we empower our children to ask for help when they need it.
The result? Improved academic performance, stronger social connections, and a sense of independence—all of which contribute to an autistic child’s overall well-being and success.
Long-Term Outcomes of Early Speech Therapy
Starting speech therapy early for an autistic child can have a huge impact on their confidence and self-esteem. While the initial focus might be on improving reading skills, building vocabulary, or understanding other’s social cues, the real magic lies in helping your child better understand themselves and the world around them.
When children learn how they process and navigate the world, they gain the tools to advocate for themselves—in social settings, at school, and eventually in the workplace. This self-awareness fosters independence and resilience, setting them up for success in all areas of life.
Your involvement as a parent is just as important. By participating in their speech therapy journey, you’ll not only deepen your understanding of your child but also create a supportive environment where they feel truly seen and valued. Together, this support system can make a world of difference to your child’s overall well-being.
Can Autistic Adults Receive Support from Speech Therapist?
You can never be too old to start adult speech therapy! There are profound benefits autistic adults can receive by attending speech therapy.
Recognising the Signs: When to Seek Speech Therapy for Autism
Because autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, people are born autistic. Autism is often identified around 3 years of age, although may be earlier or later. Girls are often missed, as are kids who may be good at “masking” (i.e. keenly observing those around them and copying what they see).
It’s important to understand that it’s not something people “grow out of” – autistic kids grow into autistic adults! Although the challenges may look different, they’re still there and can be supported with speech therapy intervention at any age.
Common Indicators of ASD Challenges
Autism can show up in different ways for each individual (because we are all exactly that – individual!).
However, there are common signs parents can look out for that may suggest their child has autism:
Signs of Autism in 3 Year Olds
- Challenges with interacting with others
- Seem to be “in their own world”
- Are “set off” by seemingly random things, and can’t be easily soothed or calmed.
Signs of Autism in 6 Year Olds
- Can “hold it together” all day at school, but then come home and either collapse or start bouncing off the walls
- Struggle to understand simple instructions or directions
Signs of Autism in Primary School Children
- Can speak at great length and engage well when talking about something they love, but shut down and seem uncomfortable with “small talk”
- Prefer playing with kids much older or younger than them, rather than peers their own age
Signs of Autism in Teenagers
- Misunderstanding non-literal language e.g. responding “yes” to “can you set the table?”, and getting genuinely confused when asked why they didn’t set the table.
- Difficulties with peer relationships
Have You Noticed These Signs?
Speak to a Pop Speech Therapist Today about Speech Therapy for Autism.
How Long Does
Speech Therapy Take?
The quick, impersonal and generic answer to this question can be broken down into the number of sessions for each step:
Step
What Happens
Timeframe
Initial Consultation
First session, background questions about childs life and medical history
1-2 Sessions
Goal Setting & Assessment
What do we want to get out of therapy (e.g. report for funding, building skills) and learning how your child interacts with certain activities to inform therapy strategy
3-4 Sessions
Early Therapy Sessions
Work on evidence-based strategies, start noticing changes in behaviour/skills
3-4 Sessions
Ongoing Therapy Sessions
Continue working on strategies, reviewing goals and reviewing progress, this is where the BIG improvements start happening
Ongoing
While the above table is simple to understand, if you want the REAL answer to how long speech therapy will take, you should keep reading.
We said it at the start and we’ll say it again, “each autistic child is unique and will have their own goals to work toward.” If each child and goal is unique, then each speech therapy journey and time to achieve goals is also going to be unique.
You can think of speech therapy like learning how to swim. Some children are natural fish in water and require little-to-no training to start swimming 100m butterfly laps for fun. On the other hand, some kids wear their floaties for longer and need extra lessons to finish a 50m freestyle lap.
Both types of training are valid and both can turn out to be elite swimmers, their journeys will just look different.
What will also impact their journey is how often and consistently they show up for lessons (or speech therapy sessions) and how often they practice.
Families might notice changes from speech therapy straight away, with improved attention and ability to better regulate emotions. Some journeys may take a little longer than others, some might achieve their goals and reconnect later on when social or academic demands increase, and others might need consistent ongoing support throughout their life.
Everyone’s therapeutic journey looks different and we are here to support every version!
Start Your Speech Therapy Journey with Pop Family Today!
Supporting children and families to build confidence, effectively communicate and advocate for their needs is at the heart of Pop Online Speech Therapy. We believe in supporting the “whole person” and the people around them, not just their autism diagnosis.
If you’re looking for a speech therapy clinic that prioritises your autistic child’s needs and provides them with a safe environment to grow and gain confidence (and that has a whole clinical team dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals!), then Pop is the place to be!
Book a free discovery call to see if Pop Online Speech Therapy is the best fit for your child and family. This one phone call might change your child’s life.
Speak to a Pop Speech Therapist Today about Speech Therapy for Autism
P.S. This article has used identity-first language (i.e. autistic person) as per the preference of the majority of autistic individuals and researchers (Monk et al 2022).
References:
DiStefano, C., Shih, W., Kaiser, A., Landa, R., & Kasari, C. (2016). Communication growth in minimally verbal children with ASD: The importance of interaction. Autism Research, 9(10), 1093-1102.
Levy, S. E., Giarelli, E., Lee, L. C., Schieve, L. A., Kirby, R. S., Cunniff, C., … & Rice, C. E. (2010). Autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring developmental, psychiatric, and medical conditions among children in multiple populations of the United States. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 31(4), 267-275.
Kristy Logan, Teresa Iacono, David Trembath, (2022)
A systematic search and appraisal of intervention characteristics used to develop varied communication functions in children with autism who use aided AAC, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Volume 90, 101896, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101896.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1750946721001719
Monk et al (2022). The use of language in autism research. Trends in Neurosciences, Volume 45, Issue 11, 791 – 793
https://www.cell.com/trends/neurosciences/fulltext/S0166-2236(22)00166-7
Supporting Autistic Children Guideline | Supporting Autistic Children Guideline. (2024). Autism CRC. https://www.autismcrc.com.au/best-practice/supporting-children
