Socialization is a Darwinian trait that has allowed us to succeed where other, more physically adept species have failed. Socialization helps foster knowledge sharing, teamwork, and helps establish alliances . People who are socially isolated do not share the benefits of socialization. Autism spectrum disorder affects our children with this condition in different areas.

In general, children with ASD prefer to be alone, this is because they do not understand social norms and guidelines or do not know how to respond to displays of both affection and anger, given their difficulty understanding the actions of other people.

If you have questions about whether your child needs speech therapy, don't miss this article.

In this order of ideas, we share with you some strategies that can help your teenager improve his socialization and speech.

1. Encourage play and social interaction. Children and adolescents learn through play, and that includes learning language. Interactive play provides enjoyable opportunities for you and your child to communicate. Try a variety of games to find the ones your child likes. Also try fun activities that promote social interaction. Examples include singing, reciting lullabies, and tickling games. During your interactions, position yourself in front of your child and close to eye level, so it is easier for him or her to see and hear you.
2. Imitate your child. Imitating your child's sounds and play behaviors will encourage more vocalization and interaction. You also encourage your child to copy you and take turns. Be sure to imitate how your child is playing, as long as it is a positive behavior. For example, when your child wheels a car, so do you. If he or she crashes their car, you crash yours too. But don't imitate throwing the car!
3. Focus on non-verbal communication. Gestures and eye contact can build a foundation for language. Encourage your child by modeling and responding to these behaviors. Exaggerate your gestures. Use both your body and your voice when communicating, for example, extending your hand to point when you say "look" and nodding your head when you say "yes." Use gestures that are easy for your child to imitate. Examples include clapping, opening your hands, extending your arms, etc. Respond to your child's gestures: When he looks at or points to a toy, give it to him or cue him to play with it. Likewise, point out the toy you want before picking it up.
4. Leave “space” for your child to talk. It is natural to feel the need to complete the language when a child or adolescent does not respond immediately. But it's very important to give your child plenty of opportunities to communicate, even if you're not talking. When you ask a question or see that your child wants something, pause for several seconds while you look at him expectantly. Be alert to any sounds or body movements and respond quickly. The speed of your response helps your child feel the power of communication.
5. Simplify your language. Doing so helps your child follow what you are saying. It also makes it easier for her to imitate your speech. If your child is non-verbal, try to speak mostly in single words. (If you are playing with a ball, you say "ball" or "roll.") If your child speaks single words, up the ante. Speak in short phrases, such as “roll the ball” or “throw the ball.” Follow this “one” rule: generally use phrases with one more word than your child uses.
6. Follow your child's interests. Instead of interrupting your child's focus, follow the words. Using the one rule, narrate what your child is doing. If you're playing with a shape sorter, you can say the word "in" when you place a shape in its slot. You can say “shape” when you pick up the shape and “throw shapes” when you throw it away to start over. By talking about what attracts your child, you will help him learn the associated vocabulary.
7. Consider assistive devices and visual aids. Assistive technologies and visual supports can do more than take the place of speech. They can encourage their development. Examples include devices and apps with images that your child touches to produce words. On a simpler level, visual supports can include pictures and groups of pictures that your child can use to indicate requests and thoughts. For example, your child can benefit from the benefits that music therapy provides in the development of their language, as is the case with the VICON Method learning program.

It is also worth noting that reading stories is a communication strategy, do not miss this information about it.

Your child's therapists are uniquely qualified to help you select and use these and other strategies to foster language development. Tell the therapist about your successes, as well as any difficulties you are having. By working with your child's intervention team, you can help provide the support your child needs to find his or her unique “voice.” Also, don't miss the following recommendations that will help you generate communication situations.