FAQautism

Sometimes individuals with autism who have not previously conversed with people begin using phrases and sentences to communicate with others. What are some things we can do to encourage conversation?

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Presence. In order to carry on a conversation, your friend with autism needs someone to talk to. Take time throughout the day to sit quietly and just chat. Sometimes you’ll want to sit face to face (like at a table or a booth at the ice cream shop) and sometimes sit side by side (like on a porch swing or the couch.) Don’t try to fill all the silences. Just relax and take time to listen. The key to success is for as many people as possible to spend short bits of time throughout the day in casual conversations that are uninterrupted by television or schedules or other distractions.

Topics. When most folks begin talking, we tend to focus on nouns. So we teach the names of different items and celebrate when a person can label objects correctly. But emerging language involves so much more than nouns. You can encourage phrases and sentences in casual conversation by looking at books or family photos together or by talking about plans for a field trip or ideas for a snack. If your friend gets stuck on one topic or doesn’t seem to be able to formulate an idea, you can “jump-start” the conversation by pointing out a truck driving down the street or pointing at a bird in the tree. You can also ask questions about recent events or ask his opinions or preferences. For example, you could ask if he likes summer weather or winter weather best. Or you could ask him if he prefers sleeping on the top bunk or the bottom bunk. Then share your opinion about the topic.

Silence. Because many individuals with autism have delays in processing auditory information, we need to slow down our conversations and leave silences that allow our friends to process information and to formulate a response. And we probably all need to keep in mind that nagging or making a big issue over his talking can sometimes discourage people from talking, especially teenagers.

Tip for the day: As your friend’s language begins to emerge, you can help the process by purposefully and systematically focusing on presence and topics – taking time throughout each day to help him discover the joy of conversing with other folks.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential e.mail at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

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