Now, I'm not saying that Lili has ASD, but these are some of the strategies I would use if I was working with a child with the type of difficulties related to ASD.
Try offering LIli choices, e.g. hold up two cups, one with milk and one with juice.
Then say "Lili, milk (whilst moving it slightly forward and then backward, but still out of reach)
. or juice "(moving the juice slightly forward and backwards).
This allows Lili to see what you are offering, not just words she doesn't yet understand. Initially take any response, whether it is just looking (eye pointing) at the one she wants. Move on to reaching out to the object, then making any sound, then making sounds nearer the word you say. You can try this with lots of things - toys, food, anything she might be interested in. This makes her choose, and hopefully learn to say the word, rather than asking a closed question where she just has to say yes or no, e.g. "Lili....juice?", although there is obvoiusly a place for these types on questions too.
Always start with her name to draw her attention to the fact you are speaking to her.
One of the most important things to do with an autistic child is REDUCE YOUR LANGUAGE!!!! I can't stress this highly enough. Children with ASD need you to reduce your language, although it would seem as though you should use more language with a child who doesn't speak. In fact if you use more language it is so much more confusing for them.
Think about it this way. Let's say you are out a walk with Lili and you want to draw her attention to a dog. What is going to teach her the word "dog" best?
Scenario 1 - "Look at the dog, Lili. Oh its a big dog, just like Granny's. Oh look, he's wagging his tail. I think he's a friendly dog. Oh he's coming to see us. Look he's sniffing my hand. Woof woof, that's what a dog says."
Scenario 2 - "Lili......(making sure her attention is on the dog)....Dog.....dog"
If you can, buy a digital camera and a laminator. Then take photos of everthing, e.g. the swingparK, the supermarket entrance, family, etc. You can print these off on the computer and then laminate them to keep them from getting tatty. (Maplins have a laminator for 9.99 this week - don't know if it is any good, but they aren't too dear now) These can be used in different ways. One of the worst fears for children with ASD is confusion about what is happening, what's happening next, how long it will last for, etc. If you are going out to the supermarket, you can tell het "Lili, coat on, then supermarket", whilst showing her the supermarket picture. This way she knows what is going to happen. She can hold the picture in her hand on the way to the suprmarket, as it will allow her to recall what has been said in a way that using speech only doesn't. Notice how I used very little language again, and gave the instructions in the order thay were to be carried out.
Playing interaction games is also the way to go. You might start with an action song, e.g "Row row row the boat". Sit Lili on your knee so that she is facing your face, to best encourage eye contact (but don't insist on this as children with ASD find direct eye contact difficult.) Start the song, holding her hands and moving her and yourself back and forwards as you sing. Always carry out this routine in exactly the same way. Perhaps pause after "down the stream" and then restart it in a fun way, building up the anticipation in LIli as she comes to know the routine. As she becomes familiar with the rhyme, look for some sign of anticipation/interaction, e.g. pulling at your hands, looking towards your face, making a sound, at which you will immmedately carry on. At the end of the rhyme as "Lili....again?" and as before take any response as communication, but if none given after a failrly long pause (give a longer time than you would think so as to give Lili time to process) just you say "Again" and go through the routine again. Try this for short periods quite a number of times in the day, and as Lili gets familiar with the routine, introduce some changes, e.g. carry it out in a different place, e.g. if you always do it on the couch, try it upstairs when you are both there, try it with another person doing it with Lili, but they have to know exactly how you carry out the routine so that they can do it exactly the same, then much later you can try a new interaction routine.
Try making other daily routines too, e.g. have a real bedtime routine, which is always carried out in the same way. Have a bath routine, e.g. clothes off, toilet, in bath, wash, wash hair, play, out bath, dry, jammies on, etc.
These are some ideas. Remember, I've never met Lili and you know her best. Also, she hasn't been diagnosed. These are suggestions, but you decide what you want to do hon. If I can be of any help, just get in touch.
Hope all goes well at Lili's asessment.
Marion XX:hug::hug:
