Richard Said:

How much does private speech therapy cost in TX?

We Answered:

Like $100.

Katie Said:

Speech Therapy for Autism?

We Answered:

I would certainly recommend working with a speech therapist or speech pathologist, or checking to see if this service is available at your child's school. If it is provided through the public school, it should be free, so this may be a good place to start.

To work on this at home, there are several things you might try. You mentioned that she has a large vocabulary, so you might start with teaching her to use a two word "sentence" to request favorite things. You could prompt her to say, "want cookie" or "want blocks," etc. I would only begin this if she already says the name of an item to request it, if not, you might start there and then work up to "want _______," and then "I want _________."

Also you could start teaching her descriptive words about some of her favorite toys or games, such as "big ball," or "red car," etc.

A good book that discusses speech development is "Overcoming Autism" by Lynn Koegel and Claire LaZebnik

Here are some other resources that may help. Happy Holidays!

"Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew" by Ellen Notbohm - http://www.southflorida.com/sfparenting/…

Website of Paula Kluth, Ph.D. - http://www.paulakluth.com/autism.html

Positively Autism (free online magazine, includes free materials/activities) - http://www.positivelyautism.com

Teaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism by Temple Grandin, Ph.D. - http://www.autism.org/temple/tips.html


Books:

"Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome" by Jerry Newport

"You're Going to Love This Kid!: Teaching Students With Autism in the Inclusive Classroom" By Paula Kluth

"Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism" By Paul Collins

Any book by Temple Grandin

Katie Said:

Speech therapy assessment and autism?

We Answered:

Even if they didn't tell you to follow up with your pediatrician, you need to take it upon yourself to set an appointment up to have your concerns heard and to have assessments done on your son. Ask for a referral to a developmental pediatrician.

Don't wait for someone to tell you they think your son needs to be tested, YOU be the one, you be his voice. You're his advocate. The sooner the better.

As for my son. He's been diagnosed as having high functioning autism. I hate saying that though because even being high functioning, he still struggles daily. No matter the severity of Autism, it affects your daily life. He does not have good social skills or expressive language skills.

My son is almost 5 and his speech has improved soooo much, he still has some echolalia present, he talks A LOT, but doesn't really converse. He has a very limited food intake... which drives me nuts. He also has lots of little "odd" behaviors. He is very loving, very smart. He also displays sensory seeking behaviors.

He was recently discharged from occupational therapy. I'm not sure if your son needs it, but mine did. He had a very "weak" way of doing things (washing hands, putting on shoes/clothes, buttons).

The sooner you can get services for your son, the better. I wish you the best of luck to you and your little one.

Jesse Said:

any provider having trouble collecting insurance for autism speech therapy?

We Answered:

Its rare to have speech or occupational therapy covered for autism.

Unless you live in a state that mandates coverage for autism, you'll have trouble getting all the therapies covered.

Many insurance policies outright exclude therapies for autism. If yours doesn't, consider yourself lucky - at least you have the potential to possibly be covered.

Try finding a group of parents with autistic children in your area - they might be able to help you figure out how to navigate the system, in accordance with the laws in your state.

Mildred Said:

Autism, speech therapy attending?

We Answered:

Hi there, I am an Education Assistant, and I work with special needs children for a living. I work with kids that have autism on a daily basis. My suggestion would be to get your son's sensory issues dealt with before he goes to his session, and to make sure those needs are met. Children with autism have trouble attending usually due to the fact that there is something sensory wise that is tipping them off, like the lights being too bright, a noise, anything like that. Before he goes to his therapy, it would be a good idea for him to have a good session in a sensory room, or with things that stimulate him to his optimum level of work. Also, what ever it is that your son really likes, the therapist should use as reinforcement during the session. I am not sure where you son is on the autism spectrum, but for example if he really likes food, every time he does something good at his session, he gets a marshmallow, or a sticker of something he likes etc..... try and give that a whirl.... Good Luck

Armando Said:

how much speech therapy and occupational therapy should a child with autism receive?

We Answered:

It depends on the child.

It also depends on what is considered to be educationally necessary versus medically necessary.

that sounds like a typical amount for what you are describing.

The ST and OT should be carried over by the classroom teachers and aids so that it is incorporated throughout the day.

you can try to get your health insurance to cover it-but often they won't-you will have more luck if your child seemed to be developing normally and than lost skills as a toddler. Many issurance will not cover speech therapy unless speech was presant, but then lost

Kathryn Said:

My 22 month old starting ABA therapy for recent autism diagnosis, anyone familiar with this?

We Answered:

First I want to start by saying don't feel so bad. Your son is blessed. I know how hard it is to go through something like that.I'm in the same situation. My son is barely 2 years old and he was recently diagnosed with autism too. He going to start having his therapy 5 times a day ,21/2 hrs long starting in August. Along with occupational theapy too. The thing about autism is that when catched so early in life along with therapy they can come out of it. Just help your son as much as possible and pray that everything will be fine. My son doesn't say a word does exactly what yous son does, but I know with all the help he's going to get he will be fine and your son will too.It's going to be rough but it will be fine.