Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Speech Avenue - Pediatric Speech Pathology Clinic in Tustin, CA

Understanding the Language—and Supporting the Whole Child

You may hear different words used when talking about autism:

“ASD,” “autistic child,” or “child with autism.”

There’s ongoing conversation around these terms. Some individuals and families prefer “autistic” as an identity-first word, embracing neurodiversity as a core part of who they are. Others prefer “child with autism,” placing the person before the diagnosis. In medical and professional contexts, you’ll often see the term ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) used.

As speech-language pathologists, we understand and respect these perspectives.

But no matter the wording, our approach doesn’t change:

We see your child—first and always—and we tailor our support to their individual needs, strengths, and communication style.

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects how children process information, relate to others, and communicate. Some children with autism may not speak by age 3 or 4. Others might repeat what they hear, speak with little intonation, or use language in a very literal way.

Social communication can also feel challenging. Children might:

Avoid eye contact
Struggle with back-and-forth interactions
Find it difficult to play or engage with peers
Have strong reactions to sensory input (like loud sounds or bright lights)

These challenges can sometimes make it hard for others to understand their needs or feelings.

But every child communicates—sometimes with words, sometimes with gestures or devices, sometimes in ways only a parent truly understands. And that’s where speech therapy comes in.

Our Focus

Dedicated Approach to Early Support

Personalized Attention

Engaging Methods

Therapy Tools

How Speech Therapy Helps

Children with autism often benefit from support in:

Expressing themselves
Understanding what others say
Building social connection and shared attention
Learning alternative ways to communicate if speaking is hard.

We use a variety of strategies to support communication—ranging from spoken language to AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), including sign language, picture systems, and speech-generating devices.

As communication improves, we often see a reduction in frustration and challenging behaviors. When children are able to express their needs and thoughts more clearly, they feel more empowered—and everyday interactions become easier for both them and their families.

What matters most is that your child feels heard, supported, and confident in their own voice—whatever form it takes.

What Our Work Looks Like

Therapy begins with learning about your child: their interests, strengths, and goals. We conduct a thorough assessment and create a plan that may include:

Speech sound practice
Language-building activities using play, games, books, or visuals
Social skill development
AAC tools when needed

Sessions are engaging and child-centered. One child might thrive with music, another with movement or stories. Some respond best to routines and visual schedules.

We follow their lead—while gently guiding growth.

Autism and Other Challenges

Many children with autism also experience:

Sensory processing difficulties
Behavioral challenges
Feeding or motor coordination delays
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
A need for AAC tools like SGDs (Speech-Generating Devices)

We work holistically, supporting your child across all areas of communication and collaborating with other providers as needed.

What Families Share

We’ve seen children grow from being quiet observers to more active participants—expressing themselves, connecting with others, and finding joy in communication. Families often tell us they feel more connected, more hopeful, and more confident in supporting their child’s growth.

Progress may look different for every child—but every step forward matters.

👩‍⚕️ Our Guiding Belief

No diagnosis defines your child’s worth or potential.

No term can capture the full picture of who they are.

We’re here to support their voice—whether it’s spoken, signed, typed, or shown in a smile.

We’re here to walk alongside your family.