Does My Autistic Child Actually Need Social Skills Goals For Speech Therapy?
First, let’s review.
What is neurodiversity and why does it matter?
Neurodiversity is a fundamental concept that celebrates the unique neurological differences present in individuals, such as Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other diagnoses. Rather than viewing these diversities as disorders in need of fixing, it is so important to recognize them as natural variations of the human brain. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the significance of neurodiversity and explore the importance of incorporating neurodiversity affirming speech therapy goals in school Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Neurodiversity advocates for accepting and embracing neurological differences as part of the human experience. It emphasizes that individuals with diagnoses such as Autism, ADHD, or dyslexia have unique strengths and perspectives that should be valued. By shifting our perspective from viewing these diagnoses as deficits to appreciating them as diverse ways of being, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals.
Why are neurodiversity affirming speech therapy goals in school IEPs important?
By embracing neurodiversity and making modifications to therapy goals that are truly tailored to an individual’s differences, schools are able to create a more inclusive and supportive environment. Remember, when provided with the right supports and accommodations, any child can succeed.
Now, let’s talk about why speech therapy for social skills may not be as important or meaningful as you might think.
Traditional social skills that are taught in speech therapy are based on neurotypical standards and do not often take into consideration that autistic individuals prefer to socialize and communicate in different ways. Things like having to establish direct eye contact to show that a child is establishing joint attention, having to engage in pretend or “functional” play, or having to engage in conversations about topics that they have no interest for with peers they may not even know or connect with on a deep level! Can you imagine if you were forced to talk with people you barely had a connection with about a topic that you didn’t have an interest in?
In other words, in my clinical opinion and based on how outspoken the autistic community has been about things like this…your autistic child does not need social skills goals that are looking to change your child. However, speech therapists can absolutely adapt social skills goals to support their differences in communication. It is so important to pay attention to whether or not a social skills goal is aiming to change an individual or to truly to support them.
How can speech therapists do social skills therapy for autism that is neurodiversity affirming?
Speech therapy can focus on:
Teaching the child to identify what their preferences are for play / socialization
Teaching them how to self-advocate for their preferred ways to engage during social situations or if they don’t want to engage at a specific time
Teaching perspective taking; this should not just be focused on one perspective, but should show possible perspectives of all parties involved in a situation
Teaching the double empathy problem; this theory indicates that because autistic and allistic (non-autistic) individuals have differences in the way they communicate, there can be breakdowns in communication. Teaching children about this can help understand why there may be breakdowns occurring.
What are some examples of speech therapy goals for social communication that are neurodiversity affirming that you can include in an IEP?
The child will learn to identify their preferences for socializing with their peers through guided self-reflection with (level of support) assistance from a trusted adult (#) times within a progress reporting period.
The child will self-advocate their preferred ways to socialize during play when provided with (levels/types of supports) (#) times within a progress reporting period.
The child will share their own perspective/opinion related to a specific topic and will also state the suspected perspective/opinion of their communication partner (#) times during a facilitated group activity using their preferred mode of communication given (levels/types of support) within (time frame).
In summary…
Embracing neurodiversity and incorporating neurodiversity affirming speech therapy goals are essential steps towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for autistic individuals. By recognizing and celebrating these unique differences, we can empower them. Remember, every individual is unique, with their own strengths and preferences. It is through understanding and respecting these differences that we can truly create a world where everyone feels valued and included.
If have any questions or would like more information on how speech therapy can help to support your child, please feel free to reach out at info@speechtherapyconnectionsllc.com. I provide speech therapy services in-person in Fair Lawn, NJ or can provide speech therapy services via teletherapy for New Jersey, Virginia, or California residents.
Here is a resource that contains several neuro-diversity affirming speech therapy goals that can be included in school IEPs people LOVE: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Neurodiversity-Affirming-Speech-Therapy-Goals-11636660?st=25a39beab693f661f2d534163229d13b
