Supporting Communication in Autistic Children: Insights from a Speech and Language Therapist
At Jam Up!, we know that parents and carers of autistic children often have questions about how best to support communication, emotions, and daily living skills. To help answer some of these, we sat down with Chris Wade, an experienced independent Speech and Language Therapist with 18 years of practice working with autistic children, young people, and adults.
In this blog, we highlight some of Chris’s insights and practical strategies that parents can try at home and in collaboration with schools.
Understanding the Role of Speech and Language Therapists
Speech and Language Therapists (SaLTs) support children with a wide range of communication needs. Chris explained that communication is multi-layered:
Attention and listening: Developing the ability to focus and filter distractions.
Receptive language: Understanding instructions, from simple (“show me your nose”) to complex (“can you get the remote from mum’s room?”).
Expressive language: Moving from single words to sentences, storytelling, and reporting past events.
Speech clarity: Ensuring language is understood by others.
Social communication: Building the skills to interact effectively with peers and adults.
For neurodivergent children, these areas often develop at different rates. Modern practice looks at communication more holistically, focusing on how a child uses language functionally in daily life, rather than expecting a “one size fits all” progression.
Common Communication Needs in Autistic Children
Chris highlighted several key areas:
Early skills: Listening for their name, commenting on what they see, or requesting things they want.
Using visuals: From laminated pictures to iPads, visuals can anchor communication and support understanding.
Expanding vocabulary: For example, moving from “Skittles” → “More Skittles” → “Two red Skittles.”
Narrative skills: Helping children retell events using photos, videos, or sequencing activities.
Emotional expression: Supporting children to label feelings and ask for help, sometimes through tools like Zones of Regulation.
Practical Strategies for Parents
Chris shared several approaches parents and carers can use at home:
Visual supports: Photo books or “All About Me” books can help children share experiences and connect with others.
Alternative communication: Tools like Makaton, pen and paper, or AAC apps can provide a voice when anxiety makes speech difficult.
Zones of Regulation: Linking emotions to colours can help children recognise and manage feelings.
Comic strip conversations: Drawing out situations to reflect on what happened and explore different outcomes.
Adjusting requests: For children with demand avoidance, rephrasing instructions in less direct or playful ways can reduce stress and encourage cooperation.
The Role of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
Traditionally, children were expected to move through stages — from pictures to communication boards, and eventually high-tech devices. But modern practice is shifting. Many SLTs now introduce high-tech AAC earlier, giving children access to personalised communication from the start.
While practical challenges exist (such as carrying devices or using them outdoors), AAC can be life-changing. The key, Chris explained, is trial and error with support from professionals to find the right fit for each child.
Collaboration Is Key
As Chris emphasised, there’s no single solution. Supporting autistic children often involves a team approach — parents, speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and schools working together to create a bespoke support package that fits the child’s unique needs.
How Jam Up! Helps
Jam Up! is designed with exactly this in mind. Developed alongside healthcare practitioners and families, our app helps children with autism and additional needs build independence and manage daily living skills through simple, engaging, and evidence-informed tools.
🌐 Learn more and download the app at www.jamup.io.