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Autism Speech Therapy

Tailored therapy solutions for children, teens, and adults with autism to enhance communication and confidence.

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Autism can be characterized as neurological variations in understanding, expressing, and interacting with the world. The role of speech therapy can vary for autistic individuals based on their needs, preferences, and goals.

In early intervention, speech therapy can provide the foundational skills needed to establish communication skills. This can include mastering beginning sounds, early grammatical tenses, and understanding social rules such as greetings and farewells.

In elementary and high school, speech therapists will help autistic students establish their communication autonomy. This can include working on general speech and language skills like articulation, vocabulary, grammar, fluency, and pragmatics. The goal of speech therapy is to not change or enforce a certain style of communication mode as "right". Speech therapy will be geared towards helping students understand the importance of communication, finding their voice, and teaching self-advocacy skills.

Autistic adults can benefit from speech therapy to advance their personal communication goals whether they want to work on professional communication, understanding social skills, or address executive functioning strategies.

Verse Therapy partners with speech language pathologist across the country provide quality, personalized, and effective speech therapy services.

Understanding Autism Speech Therapy

There can be several variations in which an autistic individual develops communication skills. It is important to recognize that these variations are not deficiencies but rather reflect differences in how individuals process and express communication.

Communication Challenges

Communication difficulties associated with autism can vary with each individual. They can include but are not limited to: delayed speech development, comprehension of nonverbal messaging, variations to social language developments (conversation skills, perspective taking, problem solving), and limited and repetitive language patterns.

Social Interaction Difficulties & Impact on Quality of Life

As stated, autistic individuals may have different priorities when it comes to social language, leading to increased communication breakdowns with peers. These breakdowns can occur in education, work, and personal relationships. Speech and language therapy can serve as a collaborative opportunity to understand one's social language skills and how to utilize in a functional manner across various settings.

Understanding these communication variations and their impact underscores the importance of personalized therapeutic approaches. The next section explores the range of evidence-based treatment options available to support autistic individuals in developing their unique communication abilities.

Explore Your Autism Speech Therapy Options

Speech therapy is not a "one size fits all" solution. Sessions are personalized based on individual needs and client-directed goals. They can include therapies that foster overall communication, social interactions, and independence.

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Social Communication Therapy

Speech therapy that emphasizes social communication address the pragmatic use of language. This can include but not limited to: conversation skills, perspective taking, problem solving, understanding body language, and fostering meaningful interactions. The speech therapists will use a variety of strategies and activities to teach and help generalize these skills including role play, scenario feedback, video modeling, and support groups.

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Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Speech therapy can be sought out if you or your loved one has recently been given an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system. AAC is used to promote all communication that is not verbal speech and can include devices like iPads, picture board, and signs/gestures.

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Play-Based Therapy

Play-based therapy can be utilized to engage children in communication development through a child-led means. The SLP can encourage turn taking, storytelling, build on grammar and vocabulary, and grow foundational communication skills.

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Family Involvement Sessions

Family and caregivers play a vital role in supporting communication at home. The SLP will work with the client and their support system to encourage consistent practice, reinforce techniques appropriate to the client's needs, and create a supportive environment for progress.

Are you looking to work with a licensed SLP on how personalized and client-driven speech therapy can work for you or your loved ones? Schedule a free consultation with us today!

Benefits of Autism Speech Therapy

Speech therapy can work in tandem with your individualized needs and interests. Your SLP will work with you to provide strategies to communicate with confidence with tangible and emotional benefits.

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Improved Verbal Communication

Speech and language therapy can include a wide variety of strategies and activities to reach you or your loved one's communication needs. This can include working on building functional communication skills, understanding your conversation priorities, or improving your communication in the workplace.

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Enhanced Social Confidence

Sessions are personalized to your needs and strengths, emphasizing activities on how to foster meaningful relationships with friends, work teams, and family activities.

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Development of Alternative Communication Methods

SLPs will work with you to provide therapy for all communication abilities. Augmentative and alternative communication can play a vital in establishing robust communication for non speaking individuals. Communication boards, visual, signs, and devices are all examples of AAC that an SLP can introduce, utilize, and modify in therapy sessions.

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Better Emotional Regulation Through Communication

Establishing a consistent and personalized way to communicate can support emotional regulation and reduce frustration for autistic individuals. With emotional support, tasks such as constructive communication or conflict resolution can become more efficient for individuals.

Transform your communication with evidence-based and personalized speech and language therapy! Schedule your initial consultation to speak with a licensed speech language pathologist.

Why Choose Verse Therapy for Virtual Autism Speech Therapy?

Verse Therapy works with highly specialized speech language pathologists who focus on accessibility, convenience, and personalized care for you or your loved ones.

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Convenience

Virtual therapy allows for clients to benefit from speech therapy from the comfort on their home, making it easier for individuals and families to access high quality care. If you have busy or tight schedules, virtual therapy can cut down on travel time, allowing for therapy to fit seamlessly into your day.

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Flexibility

Whether you have school or work hours, Verse Therapy makes sessions adaptable to your lifestyle. This can help reduce the stress of balancing services and other responsibilities.

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Accessibility

Verse Therapy partners with several SLPs across the nations, allowing you to have access to the top providers regardless of location.

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Personalized Care

Telehealth sessions do not affect the quality of care you will receive. Sessions are one-on-one, tailored to your unique communication needs.

What to Expect from Autism Speech Therapy

01Initial Consultation & Evaluation

The speech language pathologist will conduct a comprehensive assessment to evaluate communication abilities focusing on your strengths and areas of need. In order to conduct a comprehensive evaluation, the SLP will use a variety of methods such as interviews, observations, work samples, and formal and informal tests.

02Personalized Treatment Plan

With the assessment completed, the SLP will design individualized treatments plans based on their findings and your personal communication goals.

03Ongoing Sessions and Monitoring

SLPs track progress through regular evaluation and feedback sessions. If new information arises, the SLP can adjust goals and plans to address new challenges or enhance outcomes, ensuring steady improvements.

04Transition to Maintenance

Throughout your sessions, the speech therapist will work with you and your support system to sustain progress and generalize skills. This can include at-home exercises or homework, caregiver training, or continued use of language skills. A robust home program will empower individuals to maintain their communication skills independently.

Meet Our Autism Speech Therapists

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Kelly Sabia
Kelly Sabia is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist with 10 years of experience working with children and adults in both school and clinic settings. Additionally, she has experience working with clients 0-3 years of age in the Early Intervention setting, where she focused on providing support to both the clients and their families/caretakers. Kelly earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Governors State University. She is passionate about helping individuals (families/caretakers) achieve their communication goals, while providing personalized care and fostering growth in her clients. In her free time, Kelly enjoys spending quality time with her family. **My Approach To Speech Therapy** As a pediatric speech therapist, my approach is rooted in recognizing and building upon each child’s unique strengths. By focusing on their abilities and interests, I create a positive and supportive environment that fosters engagement, motivation, and parental involvement. I believe that leveraging these strengths not only boosts confidence but also provides a foundation to return to during challenging moments in therapy. This strength-based approach ensures that therapy remains enjoyable and meaningful, empowering children (and parents) to overcome obstacles and achieve their communication goals with resilience and enthusiasm. **What a Therapy Session Looks Like With Me** A therapy session with me feels natural and collaborative, starting with a casual conversation to build rapport and ease into direct treatment activities tailored to the child’s goals. We use this time to also discuss practice outcomes as well. Throughout the session, I like to incorporate moments of reflection to celebrate progress and identify areas in which we may still need to grow. Parent coaching is an integral part of the process, where I share strategies and tips to support continued progress at home. After the session, I provide follow-up emails as needed, summarizing key points and offering additional resources to ensure consistent support and success beyond our time together. **Fun Facts About Kelly** - **Favorite drink:** Water or Tea - **Favorite animal:** I love most animals, but my favorites are cats and dogs. - **Favorite season:** Fall - **Favorite Holiday:** Thanksgiving - **Free Time Activities:** Hanging out with my family, reading, listening to music.
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Alexa Kelly
Alexa is a AuDHD speech-language pathologist based in the Atlanta area. She has expertise in trauma-informed care, person-centered care, and neurodiversity-affirming practices. She is a certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS) and is trained in Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) and Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) theory. Her passion is teaching her clients the skills necessary to be the best self-advocates they can be. **My Approach To Therapy** My approach to speech therapy incorporates a holistic, trauma-informed perspective. I recognize that neurodiverse individuals have a history of trauma to some extent, which can have a negative impact on communication skills and overall quality of life. I address the trauma response and how this integrates into communicative functions. **What a Therapy Session Looks Like With Me** A therapy session with me is a very relaxed and low-pressure environment. Consent is key, so rather than me telling you what needs to be done, we collaborate on what we think is best for your given situation. I also advocate for what makes you feel the most comfortable in our sessions, so that can be wearing your PJs, having your camera turned off for virtual appointments, whatever helps you function at your best! My structure for sessions typically involves self-reflection while we practice functional communication goals. Sessions always end on a discussion regarding a home exercise program (HEP) that will help you generalize what you've learned into your everyday routine. **Fun Facts About Alexa** I spend my spare time doing various things in my free time that keep my body and brain regulated. This often entails reading, knitting/crocheting, watching my favorite TV shows, and playing video games. Don't be afraid to bring these activities up in our sessions, I love talking about my special interests!** Patient Testimonials** I cannot recommend Brain Positive Therapy LLC enough, especially my speech pathologist, Alexa Kelly. When I first started, I was primarily seeking help with motor control skills (which I now know is the correct terminology), but Alexa's expertise and ability to connect quickly revealed other areas for improvement.Through our sessions, we transitioned into working on cognition and speech processing. I learned so much about ADHD and autism that I never realized were related, particularly issues that I had been unfairly beating myself up over. Alexa guided me through these challenges, helping me practice and improve in ways I never expected.Not only has my speech improved, but I also feel that my thoughts are clearer and my confidence has grown significantly. Alexa's flexible hours and responsiveness made the entire process smooth and accommodating. If you're looking for a speech pathologist who truly understands and cares about your progress, Alexa Kelly at Brain Positive Therapy is the person to see.
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Lisa Ceballo
As a seasoned speech-language pathologist with a decade of experience, Lisa has had the privilege of working in diverse settings such as public schools, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities. Her work has allowed her to service a wide range of individuals, from school-aged children to adults and the geriatric population, each with their unique communication needs. Her journey in this field began in 2013 when she completed her B.A. in Speech Communication with a minor in Psychology at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, New York. This foundation led her to further her studies, and in 2016, she graduated with her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Touro College in Brooklyn, New York. She is licensed to practice speech and language therapy in Florida and California. Additionally, she holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a testament to her commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and clinical practice. When she is not working, you can find her trying out new restaurants with her husband, spending time with family and friends, reading her Bible, or relaxing at the beach. **My Approach To Speech Therapy** In my practice as a speech-language pathologist, I employ a holistic and evidence-based approach that prioritizes establishing a strong rapport with my clients. I believe that a good quality relationship is essential for effective therapy, creating a safe and supportive environment for open communication. Utilizing multimodal techniques, I adapt my strategies to accommodate various learning styles, incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements tailored to each individual's unique needs. This dynamic methodology not only enhances engagement but also ensures that each session is productive and enjoyable, promoting meaningful progress in speech and language development. **What A Therapy Session Looks Like With Lisa** During our therapy sessions, I create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that encourages strong rapport building and a positive clinician-client relationship. We typically begin with a brief check-in to celebrate successes and discuss any challenges, reinforcing a supportive environment. Each session is filled with interactive activities designed to enhance communication skills. For example, role-playing, incorporating music or songs, using sensory materials, taking part in art tasks, playing interactive games, and utilizing technology. I like to focus on practicing important life skills, such as cooking, gardening, making doctor’s appointments, and managing medications. All activities are tailored to the client’s interests and aimed at fostering specific language skills. To ensure each client receives the best support, I incorporate modifications and prompts based on their unique needs. I use a variety of evidence-based techniques to target specific goals while keeping the experience enjoyable and engaging. As we progress, I provide real-time feedback and encouragement, helping clients explore their potential and build their confidence in communication. Together, we’ll explore your communication skills in a way that feels natural and enjoyable, working hand-in-hand to boost your language skills and let your true potential shine! **Fun Facts About Lisa** - My husband and I love exploring new restaurants and tasting a variety of cuisines. - Cooking and hosting family gatherings is one of my favorite hobbies. - I enjoy reading and journaling with scripture to deepen my faith. - I run a faith-based practice, aligning my work with my values. - Running is a passion of mine! I was involved in track during high school and have completed both a marathon, half marathon, and other 5K and 10K races. - I love hiking and being outdoors. - I’ve been to 30+ different Caribbean islands, soaking in the beauty and culture of each one! - I prioritize working out to keep myself active and healthy.

Real Stories of Transformation

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FAQs About Autism Speech Therapy

Take the First Step Today

Speech therapy can play a vital role in enhancing your communication and improving quality of life through a strength-based approach to addressing your communication needs.