ASD: Toy to help develop language

Teach your autistic child how to talk using a simple toy
Choose an easy, fast-paced game that encourages repetition

The OT used this kind of toy to teach my son how to take turns. But it’s also great for practising speech, because you can play games that are fast-paced, repetitive and motivating.

Here’s how my son’s speech therapist did it.

Choose the right toy

First, choose a toy that is most effective for practising speech. I recommend one that is:

Extremely simple, that requires no extra cognitive engagement. All your child’s focus should be on simply moving or releasing a piece, watching it move, then asking the other person to have their turn.
Fun, so that your child is engaged and keen to repeat it over and over.
Has a clear ‘start’ and ‘end’ point, so that your child is clear about when a turn starts and ends.
Takes a very short time to ‘start’ and ‘finish’, so that your child’s turn comes round quickly and they can practise saying the same phrases over and over again.

For example, the ramp racer (pictured above, available on Amazon) ticks all the boxes. The game only requires players to hold the car at the top and release it. It’s fun to watch it roll down. The game clearly starts when you release the car, and finishes when it reaches the bottom. Each turn takes a few short seconds.

Interrupt the play

Let your child play with the toy alone for a while.
Eventually move in and, in the case of the ramp racer, stop the car half way down the ramp using your finger.
Your child will try to move your finger away. Ask your child to ‘say GO!’ Your child may be able to say it, or they may struggle. You can help them by saying ‘GO!’ yourself.
Release your finger and let the car roll down.
Repeat over and over, encouraging your child to say ‘GO!’ each time.

Don’t lose heart

Your child may not be able to say ‘GO!’ straight away. They may simply mak eye contact or move their lips. For a long while they may only be able push your finger away. Don’t lose heart. That’s still communication and interaction, and a great place to build from.

Why it’s effective

Because the game is fast and repetitive, it allows for many tries in a short space of time. Your child’s love of watching the car roll down will also motivate them to communicate.

The word ‘go’ is really useful in everyday situations. Once my son eventually learned to say it, he was able to use it whenever he wanted to go somewhere, leave somewhere, move something or ask someone to move away.

Make it more advanced

Once your child has learned to say ‘go’, ask them to stop the car with their finger and say ‘stop’ — another very useful word to learn for expressing displeasure and protecting personal space.

You could also hold the car at the top of the ramp, and encourage your child to say ‘Ready, set, go!’ before you release it. This is another useful everyday phrase which you can choose whenever you want to synchronise an action with your child and turn it into a joint activity.

Develop opportunities for cooperative play by adding surprising elements, and inviting your child to react and join in.

Summary

Interrupt the game, and teach your child to say ‘go!’

Keep it fast paced, so that you keep up the momentum and have many tries.