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Author: Buddhima Samaraweera
Home Articles Posted by Buddhima Samaraweera

Is speaking really about complying?

This writing is prompted by a short video clip on TikTok I came across recently. A person described that she didn’t give the yoghurt to the child until he said the word, and that she brought the spoon close to his mouth and waited until he said the word 😔.

This was just a short clip and not a full interview, but it raised some serious concerns about how communication is understood and approached. Sadly, this is not the first time I have come across this kind of approach being used with young children with communication challenges.

❓Is it ethically right to withhold food from a child, especially when they are hungry, in order to make them speak?

Saying a word is not as easy as it may seem to most of us. Speech requires the integration of many internal and external systems, such as cognitive, sensory, emotional, motor, environmental and social. When a child doesn’t speak, it’s not his stubbornness. And it’s not poor parenting. It can be a real challenge for that child. Some children may take longer to integrate all the systems and come up with a word.

Is this what we really mean by communication? We are getting communication all wrong.

Communication doesn’t grow under pressure. It cannot be accessed by placing conditions on a child.

Yet, we often see the child’s ability to speak is turned into a tool for control, which means demanding obedience. Success is then measured by how well the child complies with the adult’s demand. From my experience, these approaches that put pressure on the child to speak continue to spread due to:

1. Lack of understanding about child communication development
2. The child’s obedience is often rewarded in many settings.
3. Caregivers, teachers, and even some professionals may not have access to alternative, child-centred strategies. Often, they are doing the best they can with what they know.
4. A rush to “fix” the child – There is often urgency to get the child to talk, due to fear of academic failures, comparisons, or educational pressures.

These approaches can really damage a child’s sense of safety, autonomy, and emotional well-being.

So it is time to pause and ask:

❓ Are we truly supporting communication, or are we using speech as a tool to demand obedience?

It’s time to reflect deeply 💭💭.
Because children deserve more than just words. They deserve respect, patience, and unconditional support.

Buddhima Samaraweera

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How Long Does My Child with Autism Need Speech Therapy?

It is a common question I am frequently asked: “How long does my child need speech therapy?” The truth is, there is no simple answer, especially for children with autism. Communication development is a lifelong journey, and as the child grows, their communication needs evolve. Speech therapy approaches must also change to match these needs.

For many children with autism, speech therapy is not just about learning to talk. It is about developing meaningful ways to communicate, whether through speech, gestures, alternative communication systems, or social interaction skills.

How Speech Therapy Evolves as a Child with Autism Grows

Speech therapy is not a short-term intervention. It adapts as the child’s communication needs change over time. In early childhood years (ages 2-5), speech therapy may focus on:
✔️ Encouraging verbal communication (if possible).
✔️ Introducing alternative communication methods (e.g., Picture Exchange Communication System – PECS, sign language, or AAC devices).
✔️ Developing joint attention, turn-taking, and imitation skills required for language learning.
✔️ Expanding vocabulary and functional communication.

But it doesn’t stop there. As children grow, their communication needs expand. Entering the school years (ages 6–12) brings new challenges, particularly in social and academic settings. At this stage, speech therapy might focus on:
✔️ Enhancing sentence structure and conversational skills.
✔️ Improving comprehension and following instructions.
✔️ Social communication (e.g., understanding personal space, emotions, and peer interactions).
✔️ Helping with classroom participation and academic language.

Communication becomes even more complex in the teenage years (ages 13+), where independence and socialization become key priorities. Older children and teenagers often need speech therapy support in:
✔️ Navigating social interactions, friendships, and group conversations.
✔️ Understanding figurative language, sarcasm, and humour.
✔️ Developing self-advocacy skills to express needs and preferences.
✔️ Preparing for real-world communication (e.g., ordering at a restaurant, job interviews).

While some children with autism may develop strong communication skills over time, communication is not static. It evolves with new social, academic, and real-world demands. Instead of asking whether speech therapy should stop, the focus should be on how support can be adapted to match the child’s changing needs at every stage of life.

For some children, speech therapy may gradually reduce frequency as they gain independence in communication. However, many children with autism benefit from ongoing or periodic speech therapy to support their evolving communication needs. Therapy may shift from intensive weekly sessions to less frequent check-ins or home-based strategies.

At Words Speech Therapy, we believe in a personalized, long-term approach to communication support. Our goal is to empower every child to communicate meaningfully. To achieve this, we work closely with parents to understand their children’s unique needs and challenges and provide the best possible strategies to support their growing communication skills at every stage.

Buddhima Samaraweera

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Lift the Pressure and Let Your Child Speak Freely

In my 15 years of practice, I often hear parents express frustration:

“Why does my child speak better during speech therapy sessions but not at home?”

One of the main reasons could be the pressure placed on verbal communication during home interactions.

The Impact of Pressure on Communication

When we place too much emphasis on verbal communication or talking without valuing or acknowledging what the child is already capable of, it can create a stressful environment. This pressure can make speaking feel more like a task than a natural expression.

How Pressure Shows Up at Home

Parents may unknowingly add pressure in these ways:

  1. Not waiting for the child to speak: Interrupting or finishing sentences for them may discourage the child from trying.
  2. Asking too many questions: Rapid-fire questions like “What is this? What colour is it?” can feel overwhelming.
  3. Not providing sufficient opportunities to speak: Talking too much or giving instructions without pauses leaves little room for the child to respond.
  4. Talking too much: Dominating the conversation or giving too many instructions without pauses leaves little opportunity for the child to join in.
  5. Lack of enthusiasm: If a child doesn’t see excitement or interest in their attempts, they may feel discouraged.
  6. Not acknowledging the child’s efforts: Ignoring nonverbal attempts (gestures, sounds) can send the message that only words are valued.

Be Mindful to Encourage Communication

By being conscious of these behaviours, you can create an environment where your child feels more comfortable and motivated to speak. Here are some tips:

  • Wait and Pause: Give your child time to process and respond. Count to 10 in your head before stepping in.
  • Reduce questions: Instead of constant quizzing, make comments like, “Oh, you’re holding the car! It’s so shiny.”
  • Acknowledge all communication: Celebrate gestures, sounds, and words equally to encourage progress.
  • Show enthusiasm: Smile, clap, or repeat what they say to show you’re listening and proud of their effort.
  • Provide opportunities: Pause while reading a book or playing to let your child fill the silence.

The Power of a Pressure-Free Environment

When the immense pressure for verbal communication is lifted, children often feel more confident and willing to express themselves. Speech therapy creates such an atmosphere, and the same approach can work wonders at home.

Let your child know that their voice matters—whether it’s a word, a sound, or a gesture. Over time, you’ll notice that as the pressure fades, their desire to communicate grows.

Have you noticed how your child communicates differently at home versus in therapy? Share your experiences with us! 😊

Kruythoff-Broekman, A., Wiefferink, C., Rieffe, C., & Uilenburg, N. (2019). Parent-implemented early language intervention programme for late talkers: parental communicative behaviour change and child language outcomes at 3 and 4 years of age. International journal of language & communication disorders, 54(3), 451–464. https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12451

Buddhima Samaraweera

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Enhancing Children’s Communication Skills: A Workshop in Kurunegala

Our workshop held on 7th June in Kurunegala was dedicated to empowering parents and teachers with the knowledge and skills to enhance children’s communication abilities.

The workshop highlighted the vital role parents and teachers play in developing children’s communication skills. Effective communication is foundational for children’s development, influencing their social interactions, academic performance, and future success. Recognising this, our workshop aimed to equip parents and teachers with practical strategies and techniques to support and enhance their children’s communication abilities.

Key Highlights of the Workshop

  1. Identifying and Addressing Challenges: The workshop also covered the early signs of communication difficulties and the importance of early intervention. We discussed various approaches to support children struggling with communication issues, emphasising the role of collaboration between parents, teachers, and speech-language pathologists.
  2. Practical Strategies: We provided practical strategies for creating a language-rich environment at home and in the classroom. These included activities to promote vocabulary development, storytelling techniques, and ways to encourage effective communication through everyday interactions.
  3. Q&A Session: A lively Q&A session allowed participants to ask questions and share their experiences.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the parents and teachers who attended the workshop. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our knowledge and contribute to improving children’s communication skills.

At Words Speech Therapy, we are committed to continuing our efforts to support parents and teachers in their crucial role. We believe that by working together, we can create a nurturing environment where every child has the opportunity to develop strong communication skills.

Stay tuned for more workshops and events aimed at empowering our community.

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Exhibition in Galle on World Autism Day, April 2nd 2024

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent exhibition in Galle, held in conjunction with World Autism Day on April 2nd. This event was a resounding success, and it was a privilege to connect with parents, teachers, professionals, and community members who are genuinely interested in understanding Autism.

We showcased a variety of speech therapy materials that can be easily developed using everyday items, along with specialised resources created by our speech therapy team. These materials included communication charts, oro-sensory motor kits, adapted storybooks, and much more. Each item was designed to be both practical and effective, providing parents and teachers with the tools they need to support communication development at home and school.

We are committed to continuing our efforts to support individuals with various communication needs and their families. We believe that by working together, we can make a significant impact on the lives.

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Changing Mindsets on World Hearing Day

In line with this year’s World Hearing Day theme, “Changing Mindsets,” our team at Words Speech Therapy collaborated with Vision Care Hearing Solutions to transform perceptions about hearing health. We participated in teacher awareness programs in Maharagama, Mount Lavinia, Kurunegala, and Galle, working closely with the Audiology team at Hearing Solution. These programs aimed to educate and empower teachers to support students with hearing challenges, promoting better hearing health and awareness in our communities.

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Celebrating 8 Years of Success at Words Speech Therapy.

We are delighted to share that Words Speech Therapy has just celebrated its 8th anniversary! This milestone marks a significant chapter in our journey, reflecting on the strides we’ve made and the lives we’ve touched.

Our anniversary celebration was made even more memorable by a parallel workshop that capped off the year 2023 with resounding success. This event was not just a celebration but a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team throughout the years.

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A Day of Giving: Children’s Day Event

For this Children’s Day at Words Speech Therapy, we embraced the spirit of giving by distributing storybooks and introducing our brand-new, home-based activity booklet—all designed to support and enrich children’s speech and language development.

We engaged with the dedicated parents who are already working with us to participate in a thoughtfully designed quiz about speech-language development. The parents who provided insightful answers were delighted to receive storybooks and our newly crafted activity booklets as rewards for their engagement.

These resources are more than gifts; they are key tools to foster children’s language and cognitive growth. The storybooks spark imagination and introduce new vocabulary, while our activity booklets offer a variety of fun and educational exercises that parents can explore with their children at home.

A heartfelt thank you to all the families who joined us in celebrating this special day. Your commitment inspires us and drives us forward in our mission to nurture future communicators.

Keep an eye on our upcoming events and new resources as we continue our journey to support and celebrate every child’s development!

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We are in Negombo: September 2023

Now, you can meet our speech-language therapist, Dilini Rajakaruna, at Vision Care, Negombo.

Services Offered

At Negombo Vision Care, Dilini will offer a comprehensive range of speech therapy services tailored to meet the needs of both children and adults. These include:

  • Assessment and Diagnosis: Comprehensive evaluations to understand individual speech and communication challenges.
  • Therapy Sessions: Personalised therapy plans that focus on the client’s specific needs, using evidence-based practices to ensure effective outcomes.
  • Family Support and Education: Guidance and support for families, enabling them to effectively assist in developing and improving communication skills at home.

How to Schedule a Consultation

Please go through our website to schedule a consultation with Dilini Rajakaruna at Negombo Vision Care or call 0764221555 for information.

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We are in Galle: August 2023

We are excited to announce the launch of our new speech therapy services in Vision Care, Galle. This facility is part of our ongoing effort to expand access to specialised speech and language support.

Meet Our Therapists

Amanda Liyanage and Imasha Dhananjani are passionate about speech therapy. They are well-versed in the latest evidence-based strategies and dedicated to helping individuals improve their communication abilities. Their approach involves direct therapy and empowering clients through education and support.

Services Available

At our Galle facility, Amanda and Imasha will offer a variety of speech therapy services, including:

  • Detailed Speech and Language Evaluations
  • Personalised Individual Therapy Plans
  • Interactive Group Sessions
  • Family and Caregiver Support and Training

These services are designed to address a wide range of speech and language issues, providing vital support to children and adults.

How to Access Our Services

To access our speech therapy services in Galle, please visit our website or contact us directly at 0764221555 to schedule an appointment. We are here to provide guidance and support to anyone facing challenges with speech and language, and we encourage you to reach out to us.

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