Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.
Take a Course

Phrases and Abnormal Speech in Children with Autism

Dr. Mary Barbera

Abnormal speech patterns are very common in kids with autism. For example, if you teach a child with limited speech to say phrases like “open door,” they might overgeneralize it and say “open door” even if they want something else opened like a bottle or a box. In this blog post, I will answer a question I got during one of my Live Q and A sessions, where I give you tips about what you can do to help a child with abnormal speech patterns work on speech and language.

The Question

One of our members, Jerry, said, “I have a two-year-old. I’ve completed all the units in your course as well as the homework. He’s working well with electronics, food, and drink, but not as well when working with a shoebox, toys, or puzzles. We should have a BCBA working with us soon, but he’s using some abnormal speech patterns. Things like saying “open door,” even if it isn’t a door he wants to open.
“Any suggestions on how to address these? I also watched the pointing video you made and he’s improving with that skill and will point at things, but he doesn’t look back at me when he’s pointing. Is this something you can teach? He also gives me things but it’s almost like “I’m done with this. You can have it” as opposed to, “Hey, look at this.” Is giving and sharing something that can be taught or is this a higher skill?”

Abnormal Speech Patterns in Children with Autism

I remember with my son, Lucas, that we taught him the phrase “open cabinet” so he could ask for the pretzels he wanted. But we did so many trials of “open cabinet” without me knowing that you can’t just target one specific phrase. If you do, your child or client can develop abnormal speech patterns. When we were trying to teach him to open a bottle or to say “open bottle,” he would say “open cabinet,” because that’s what he was taught. He was overgeneralizing and having conditional discrimination errors. It’s super important to stick with one-word phrases and build skills as naturally as possible to avoid abnormal speech patterns.

I have a two-word pivotal phrase sheet that outlines different phrases we can teach. I’ve also talked about carrier phrases, but I wouldn’t teach those in this case. I’m very careful about teaching two-word pivotal phrases and carrier phrases. You really have to have good programming with them. I like to let language develop as naturally as possible, and increasing to two-word pivotal phrases too fast can often develop into abnormal speech patterns within language disorders.

Free Workshop to Learn to Turn Autism (or Signs of Autism) Around

Want to start making a difference for your child or clients?
Sign-Up For Free Training

Pivotal Phrases

To help with this, stick with one-word pivotal phrases. Say you want him to ask to open a bottle. Since he’s already saying “open door,” make sure he is not by the door. Then, drop the phrase back to “open.” I would say “open” and I wouldn’t string it together with any other words. Even for doors, I might scale it back. I would pause and before he says open, I would say “open, open” slowly.
I would also generalize “open” by using a box. Don’t teach the pivotal phrase “open box.” Just go with one word at a time. Here I would put something fun in the box and I would prompt him to say “open.” Then he says “open.” Now, if I say “open” and he says, “open door.” I would go back to “open, open, open.” Ask him, “What should I do? Open?” Then he gets reinforcement by opening the box. You can do this with a favorite drink, a door, a toy, and more.

Language Development Takes Time

Scale it back. I know that it feels like you’re going backward instead of forward, but it will really help to get rid of abnormal speech patterns.

I’m a big proponent of letting language develop naturally, especially for young children.

My mission is to provide practical strategies to both parents and professionals so they can help children with Autism reach their fullest potential. For more information about pivotal phrases and abnormal speech patterns consider taking one of my courses below.
  1. Stop Waiting and Worrying About Autism: 3 Secrets to Turn Autism Around in any Toddler or Preschooler
  2. 3 Big Autism Mistakes Parents Make (and what to do instead)
  3. 3 Biggest Mistakes Autism Professionals Make With Intermediate Learners

Free Workshop to Learn to Turn Autism (or Signs of Autism) Around

Want to start making a difference for your child or clients?
Sign-Up For Free Training