Speech again

Once again we have the topic of speech. Logically, it concerns us a lot. It is with speech that we mainly communicate and connect with another person. But do autistic children have that same need?

Of course we hope that the child talks as it would be very helpful
if they would express their needs even with single words. Many kids eventually realize the convenience of speech and thus start to function that way.

We must think clearly! If the child still doesn't pay us any mind,
doesn't make eye contact, can't play with another person and enjoy it, how can we expect speech to develop? All these other things take priority: the way the child needs us, the way it can enjoy our company, the joy of human interaction, an elementary reciprocity.
Once these have happened, speech will develop naturally. To insist upon speech while disregarding the rest of the child's behaviour is completely missing the point. It is like skipping primary school and sending the kid straight to highschool.

Development is enabled by sociability, reciprocity and, consequently,
the reduction of egocentrism. It is unfair to assume that all these things are unachievable for the child. It requires determination and time. It can't be done within 2-3 months. After a full year of therapeutic play, all parents observe great changes in their
kid's behaviour. This fills them with happiness and optimism, two essential emotions that help the child's development! Believe in your child, accept it as it is, play with it in a way that makes your child happy. Then you will see progress.