Improving Receptive Language in Children with Autism

Children with autism often have lower receptive language skills than expressive language skills. They can appear as if they are not listening which can be frustrating to parents. If your child does not respond consistently to their name (or not at all), does not follow simple routine directions (e.g. "come here" or "sit down") or seem to understand what you are asking them, they may have receptive language deficits.

1. Don't Ignore Your Child's Lack of Receptive Language Skills

   If your child seems content to play by themselves, it is still important to intervene and help build important language skills, particularly when they are young. It will help prepare them for the rest of their lives!

   
   

2. Keep it Simple

   You may be tempted to use models of adult language, but children with autism need more simple models. Phrases like "Play with cars" or "Take a bath" are sufficient. But, we still want to differentiate based on what we know our child can and can't understand. If you say "play with cars" and your child runs to the play room and gets the box of cars, you can advance to a higher level "Let's go play with your cars" or "Let's play cars in the living room".

   
   

3. Use Visual Cues

   Children with autism are often visual learners. Pairing a picture with your words can help improve comprehension and understanding. The visual could be actual objects, photographs or picture representations. Have a picture of their backpack when you say "Get your backpack".

   
   

4. Read Lots of Books!

   For an emerging language learner, choose books with colorful and engaging pictures that can easily be labeled. Ask questions "Do you see the dog that says woof?" or "show me the big cat". Interactive books with things to push, life or slide can be helpful in keeping children attentive.

   
   

5. Use Your Child's Name Often

   If your child doesn't respond to their name consistently, use it often! Instead of saying "Do you want some juice?" say "Do you want some juice, John?". This will help strengthen recognition of their name.

   
   

6. Play Music and Sing Songs

   Children with autism are often attracted to music. Even when your child wants to hear the same song OVER and OVER again and you are going crazy listening to it, know that you are helping build receptive language skills. Gestures in songs, such as "Wheels on the Bus" are a great way to help with learning to follow directions.

Building receptive language skills is the most successful when you and your child are having fun! Don't be afraid to be silly and bring out your inner child!

Karen Taylor, M.S., CCC-SLP, CAS

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder, Universal Speech Strategies

"Helping parents and professionals build communication through practical, evidence-based strategies."