Providing high-quality speech and language therapy to children with autism spectrum disorder requires a flexible, individualised, and family-centred approach. This clinical reference compiles key practice guidance for SLPs working in paediatric settings.
Assessment: Building a Complete Communication Profile
Effective intervention begins with a thorough communication assessment. Clinicians should evaluate expressive and receptive language using validated tools such as the PLS-5, CELF Preschool-3, or GFTA-3. Crucially, autism-specific communication assessment must extend beyond standardised testing to include observation of spontaneous communication, joint attention, play, and pragmatic skills using tools such as the ADOS-2, CSBS-DP, or Communication Matrix.
AAC Decision-Making
AAC should be considered for any child not meeting functional communication needs through speech alone. The selection of an AAC system should be guided by a feature-matching process: robust vocabulary access, motor demands, and the child’s sensory and cognitive profile all influence system choice. LAMP, PECS Phase V–VI, and core word approaches each have distinct indications. Involve families in all AAC decisions and provide robust training for consistent implementation across settings.
Parent Coaching as a Core Service
Parent-implemented intervention (PII) doubles the dosage of therapy without increasing clinic time. Every session plan should include a parent coaching component — modelling strategies, observing the parent implement, and providing supportive feedback. Tools like ImPACT and Hanen More Than Words provide structured parent coaching frameworks with strong evidence bases.
Session Structure for Optimal Engagement
Sessions for children with ASD benefit from predictable structure: a visual schedule displayed at the start, a clear beginning-middle-end, preferred motivators embedded throughout, and a gradual challenge approach that maintains approximately 80% success. Avoid over-correcting — rich naturalistic reinforcement of all communicative attempts is more powerful than error correction for building communicative confidence and frequency.