Autism support when there are few words or none
Few words is not “no communication.” We build a way to ask — look, reach, card, device, word — and we do not withhold the biscuit until a spoken sentence appears.
Written by the Inclusive Developmental and Therapy Center therapy team — our Speech & Language Therapist, psychology and ABA staff. This page is awaiting its clinical review.
What we teach first
A request that works. Joint attention. A yes and a no someone can see. AAC is allowed: pictures, signs, devices, non-verbal communication, requests. Speech sits alongside, not as a test they must pass to eat.
What we will not do
Withhold food or comfort until they “use their words.” Promise they will talk by a date. Treat a device as a failure of parenting. Late talkers, a way to ask.
Hearing first
A child who cannot hear clearly cannot copy speech clearly. Assessment: developmental assessment. Speech: speech therapy.
The idea behind the work (in the books)
A way to be understood now — a reach, a picture, a simple app — while speech is still invited. A card is not a cure for being non-speaking.
Frost and Bondy — PECS
Picture exchange is one way to request. We will use whichever this child will actually use. We are not a certified PECS centre.
Prizant — a reason to communicate
Give a faster way to be heard than screaming. That usually takes heat out of behaviour. It does not stop talking.
What the research tells us
This isn’t just our opinion — it’s grounded in published research. Here are a few findings from trusted, independent sources:
NICE CG170 recommends a play-based social-communication intervention with parents, carers and teachers to increase joint attention, engagement and reciprocal communication, adjusted to the child’s developmental level. For pre-school children it recommends parent mediation.
— NICE Clinical Guideline CG170 — Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: support and management. View sourceA Cochrane review of early intensive behavioural intervention found improvements in adaptive behaviour, learning and language compared with standard care, and did not find evidence that it reduced autism symptom severity. The work teaches skills. It is not a treatment for autism itself.
— Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Reichow et al. (2018), CD009260. View source
Take a worksheet home
Print one sheet. Fill it in this week. Bring it to the consultation — a consultation is Rs 1,500 and lasts up to 50 minutes.
Requesting cards
Help, more, finished, stop, my turn, can I play — a faster ask than screaming.
Communication passport
One page a new teacher can actually read.
First-words picture cards
Cut-out cards for late talkers. Name, wait, celebrate any try.
Book a consultation
Contact owner Muhammad Salman Afzal first. No referral needed. A consultation is Rs 1,500 and lasts up to 50 minutes.
Few words or none — questions parents ask
Will AAC stop them talking?
Used well, it usually helps talking. We do not ban speech. We give a way to ask today.
They make sounds but no words.
Sounds are a start. We shape them. We also give a card so the day works.
Do I need a diagnosis?
No. A worry is enough.
How do we start?
A consultation is Rs 1,500 and lasts up to 50 minutes. Tell us how they already ask — a pull to the fridge counts.
Will a picture board stop them talking?
No. A reliable way to communicate usually takes the heat out of frustration. Talking goals stay on the plan.
Ask about few words or none
A short, friendly conversation is the best first step. Call, text or WhatsApp us — we’ll listen and guide you, with no pressure.
MPS Road, Block A Model Town, Multan (near Bloomfield Hall School, Street No. 2) · Mon–Fri, 2 PM – 6 PM