Aspect highlights diverse communication strategies during Speech Pathology Week

During Speech Pathology Week, Aspect emphasises that supporting autistic children’s communication requires recognising various methods beyond speech, including gestures, signs, and AAC, to foster confidence and participation.

For many parents of autistic children, one of the first worries is whether a child is talking later than expected. Yet, as Aspect’s Speech Pathologist and Practice Leader Jessica Mennetrier notes, speech is only one part of communication. Autistic children may use gestures, facial expressions, sounds, signs, pictures or augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC, to share needs, feelings and interests. The National Autistic Society says communication differences are a core feature of autism and can vary widely from person to person, which means support has to be individual rather than one-size-fits-all.

Aspect is using Speech Pathology Week to highlight that broader view, with this year’s theme, “Communication Creates Possibility”, drawing attention to the many ways children connect with the people around them. The organisation says its therapists use a total communication approach, which values every form of expression rather than focusing only on spoken language. Similar guidance from Sense describes total communication as using a mix of speech, sign, gesture, sound, movement and other methods to make meaning clear and successful.

Mennetrier said families often begin by noticing what a child is already doing, rather than what they are not yet saying. A child reaching for a drink, pulling an adult’s hand, looking towards a toy or vocalising in frustration is communicating, she said. Practical support can often start in ordinary routines, such as naming what a child is doing, commenting on what they are looking at or modelling simple words during play, meals or reading. The National Autistic Society also recommends slowing speech, allowing processing time and using visual supports to help autistic children understand and respond.

Aspect says introducing signs, pictures or AAC does not stop speech from developing and can instead reduce frustration while supporting language growth. The organisation argues the aim is communication, not speech alone, because having a reliable way to express needs, choices and ideas can improve confidence, learning and participation at home, in school and in the community. With more than 17 years of experience, Mennetrier works with autistic individuals in the Illawarra region of New South Wales and says the role of speech pathologists is to meet children where they are and build from there.