Steps To Progress

Back-to-school season comes with plenty of changes. Practicing small changes at home can help children become more comfortable when routines don’t go exactly as expected.

One way to help prepare for these moments is to practice flexibility when the stakes are low. Introducing small, manageable changes at home can give children opportunities to experience something being different in a familiar, low-pressure environment.

Try this at home: Practice one small change during a familiar routine. Take a different route to the store, use a different cup at breakfast, or switch the order of two morning tasks.

Keep the change small, provide support as needed, and reinforce your child’s efforts to adapt!

For many children, riding the school bus is a brand-new experience, an experience that includes new sounds, routines, expectations, and people.

A few simple ways to prepare include:
🚌 Talking about what happens before, during, and after the bus ride.
🚌 Practicing waiting and following simple directions.
🚌 Reading stories or watching videos about riding the bus.
🚌 Practicing sitting calmly for short periods.
🚌 Visiting the bus stop or watching buses in your neighborhood.

Preparing ahead of time won't eliminate every challenge, but it can help both yourself and your child feel more ready for this exciting new milestone.

When you ask your child a question and they repeat it instead of answering, it can be confusing. This behavior, called echolalia, is common among many children with autism and is often part of how they process and learn language.

Rather than ignoring the question, your child may be using repetition to understand what was asked, organize their thoughts, or communicate while developing language skills. For example, if you ask, "Do you want juice?" they may respond by repeating, "Do you want juice?" before they are able to answer.

At Steps to Progress ABA Therapy, we work with children to build functional communication skills through individualized ABA therapy. By identifying the reason behind echolalia, therapists can help children learn to answer questions, express their needs, and communicate more independently.

One of the primary goals of ABA therapy is helping children develop communication skills they can use in everyday life. Rather than practicing language in isolation, therapists create opportunities for children to communicate during play, daily routines, and social interactions.

Depending on each child’s goals, they may learn how to:

-Request favorite toys, foods, or activities
-Ask for help when they need it
-Make choices between two or more options
-Express feelings, discomfort, or preferences
-Let others know when they need a break

As children become more confident communicators, many families notice positive changes beyond therapy sessions. Being able to express their needs can reduce frustration, encourage a greater sense of independence, and strengthen interactions with parents, siblings, teachers, and peers.

Read more on how aba therapy can help build functional communication skills here: https://www.stepstoprogress.com/blog/aba-therapy/functional-communication-aba-therapy-houston/

"Why does my child follow directions but ignore questions?" This is something many parents experience.

Following a direction like, "Put on your shoes," is a different skill than answering a question like, "What did you do today?" Answering requires a child to understand the question, organize their thoughts, and communicate a response, all of which can take more practice.

However, this isn't always a sign they're not listening. Your child may simply need more support developing expressive communication skills.

ABA therapy helps children build these skills one step at a time, helping to make communication easier in everyday life. 💙

Pointing to a favorite toy, reaching to be picked up, waving goodbye, or shaking their head "no" are all communication methods for children.

For many children with autism, gestures are an important part of communication development. Recognizing and encouraging these early forms of communication helps build the foundation for even greater communication skills.

"First words" do not have to be the beginning of effective communication, effective communication begins with being understood. When we recognize gestures as communication, the door is opened to even greater communication strengthening.

3 Simple Ways to Encourage Communication at Home 💙

Simple adjustments to the way you interact each day can help your child express their wants and needs.

✔️ Talk through your day – Describe what you're doing using simple phrases, like "Let's put on your shoes."

✔️ Pause and wait – Give your child a few extra seconds to respond before stepping in.

✔️ Offer choices – Instead of open-ended questions, try, "Would you like an apple or crackers?"

Everyday moments are full of opportunities to build communication skills!

Read more here: https://www.stepstoprogress.com/blog/autism/how-to-encourage-communication-in-children-with-autism/

One of the biggest misconceptions about communication development is that it only happens during structured therapy sessions.

In reality, productive communication development happens everyday through simple routines and activities.

Children with autism learn best when communication is embedded into familiar, motivating activities. Mealtime, playtime, bath time, and running errands all provide natural opportunities to model language, encourage interaction, and build confidence within the child without adding extra pressure.

A few strategies that consistently make a difference:
✔️ Model simple, functional language throughout the day.
✔️ Pause to give your child time to process and respond.
✔️ Create opportunities for communication by offering choices.
✔️ Celebrate every form of communication, whether it's spoken words, gestures, sign language, or an AAC device.

Communication isn't about saying more words, it's about helping children express their needs, connect with others, and participate more fully in the world around them.

If you're looking for practical, evidence-informed strategies you can start using today, our latest blog breaks down simple ways to encourage communication during everyday routines.

Read more here: https://www.stepstoprogress.com/blog/autism/how-to-encourage-communication-in-children-with-autism/

Encourage Communication at Home for Children with Autism How to encourage communication in children with autism using strategies that incorporate everyday routines at home.

Words are not the only way children communicate. Children with autism may express themselves in many different ways, including:

👋 Gestures – Pointing, reaching, or leading you to something they want.

😊 Facial Expressions – Smiles, frowns, or other expressions that show how they're feeling.

👀 Eye Gaze – Looking toward a person or object to communicate interest or a need.

🧸 Play – Using toys or activities to express thoughts and emotions.

❤️ Behavior – Actions like covering their ears or walking away can communicate discomfort or overwhelm.

Every child communicates in their own way. By recognizing these nonverbal cues, we can better understand and support the children we care for and love.

Being nonverbal does NOT mean being unable to communicate.

Did you know that 25–30% of autistic children are minimally speaking or nonspeaking?

Research shows that augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), including speech-generating devices and picture-based communication, can help many children communicate more effectively. Even more encouraging, using AAC does not prevent speech from developing.

Every child deserves a voice, whether it's spoken, typed, signed, or selected on a device. Communication is about connection, and every voice matters. 💙