This advice-column-style blog for SLPs was authored by Pam Marshalla from 2006 to 2015, the archives of which can be explored here. Use the extensive keywords list found in the right-hand column (on mobile: at the bottom of the page) to browse specific topics, or use the search feature to locate specific words or phrases throughout the entire blog.
Apraxia Uncovered and Autism
By Pam Marshalla
Q: I have a 5-year-old child with PDD, NOS (autism spectrum disorder). Her language comprehension is very good. She makes sounds and she babbles, but she produces no words. She is social and definitely has communicative interest and intent. Based on your experience, would the techniques in your book and CD called Apraxia Uncovered be of potential benefit to my daughter to help her speak words (even though she does not carry a diagnosis of Apraxia, per se). Thank you for your response!
I don’t have expertise in autism and usually don’t answer questions about it, but I can answer this question––
Some autistic children become verbal and some don’t. If your child is going to become verbal, or if she is already starting to, then the methods in my book may help. I have used them with some children like yours with good results. But I also have worked with some autistic children where these methods did not work at all. It depends on her.
If she were my child I would give it a shot to see how it goes. You never know what your child’s potential may be until you try.