Sadly, between 35 percent and 40 percent of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, at least at present, won't develop functional speech, but this number is decreasing over time with earlier diagnosis. Some children, however, are highly verbal.
Leo had echolalia, which means he'd parrot words he had heard, when he was diagnosed at age two.
I thought it was weird and imagined Leo as an adult shouting nonsensical words like a psychotic homeless man.
Leo quickly acquired language once we began an intensive early intervention plan, consisting of about 25 to 30 hours a week of applied verbal behavior (AVB) and Floortime.
AVB programs are based on the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS, pronounced "ables") and was the brainchild of Drs. Mark Sundberg and James Partington, not Dr. Vincent Carbone, who is often credited with developing AVB.
Listen to Leo by clicking on one of the links above. I secretly record my conversations with him. They're too precious to be left to sleep-deprived memory.
