Autism & Communication

How speech-language therapy helps autistic children

Autistic children may communicate in different ways. Some children use speech, some use a combination of words and gestures, and some communicate through behaviour or alternative communication systems.

Speech-language therapy supports communication, interaction, and language development based on how each child already communicates.

Areas we may work on

Speech-language therapy can help with:

• using words or AAC to communicate
• taking turns in conversation
• understanding language and following directions
• playing and interacting with others
• social communication and pragmatic language
• self-advocacy and expressing needs

For example, a child may learn to ask for toys (“I want a car”), greet others, answer questions, make choices, or participate in play with peers.

Some children may also benefit from support with cognitive communication skills such as problem-solving, staying on topic, and understanding social situations.

How speech therapy differs from other therapies

Speech-language therapy focuses specifically on communication and language. While other therapies may address behaviour or sensory processing, speech therapy targets:

• what a child communicates (vocabulary, ideas, requests, comments)
• how they communicate (speech, AAC, gestures, signs)
• why they communicate (to connect, to get needs met, to share interests)

Our goal is to help each child communicate as effectively and independently as possible, using whichever modality works best for them.

Our approach

Every autistic child is different. At West End Speech, we build therapy around each child’s strengths and what the current research tells us works.

Play-based and naturalistic

We use play-based and naturalistic approaches, following the child’s interests and creating meaningful opportunities for communication during activities they enjoy. This helps children learn communication skills they can use in everyday life.

Family-centred

We work closely with parents and caregivers to build communication strategies that work across home, school, and community settings. Parent coaching is an important part of our approach, helping you support your child’s communication throughout the day.

AAC when appropriate

For children who are minimally verbal or whose speech is not yet meeting their communication needs, we may introduce augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). AAC does not prevent speech development; it supports it.

What to expect

Assessment

We start with a thorough assessment to understand your child’s communication, language, social skills, interests, and strengths. We gather information from you as a parent and may observe your child during play.

Therapy sessions

Sessions are typically 30–45 minutes and are structured around your child’s interests and goals. Therapy may take place through play, structured activities, books, or real-life routines. We focus on building skills your child can use right away.

Goal setting

We set goals together with families, and we focus on skills that make a real difference in your child’s daily life.

Funding in British Columbia

Many families in British Columbia access speech-language therapy through provincial autism funding. We can provide receipts and documentation to support your funding applications.

How to get started

If you’d like to talk about speech-language therapy for your child, contact us to book an assessment. We see kids online across BC and in-home around Vancouver, in English and French.