Need Intervention Advice and Recommendations

[Guest guest]

Hello Group -

I am new to the group but have been on the 'Autism' Journey for 2 years now.

Just a little background, my son is about to be 4 yrs old in October and

received an apraxia diagnosis last month. He lost all his language at about 16

months and has only gained a few of those words back (expressively). He is

highly receptive and a pretty calm little boy. He's non verbal for the most

part, but tries so hard to say things. He uses ASL, pecs, points, gestures and

uses word approximations.

He babbles all day long. Especially when he's going thru a book. You hear

different pitches, tones, etc.

In regards to therapy / interventions: I'm in a bit of a catch 22. My son

attends a special-ed preschool in an Autism class with 2 typical peers and 2

boys with an ASD.

They implement a protocol called RIRD with him. Which stands for: Response,

Interrupt, Re-Direct. Anytime my son uses non-contextual and non-functional

language, they interrupt him - ask him to perform 3 mastered items and 1 vocal

imitation. They consider his behavior to be 'vocal stereotypy' behavior

(stimming.)

So basically, he can't really say much because he is immediately interrupted to

do something. He really isn't able to say things functionally as it is - so

isn't this just going to silence him??

Now I'm reading on CAS and becoming verbal, where they encourage vocalizations,

sounds, etc and for me to imitate what I hear him say. Or for me to try to make

a word of it.

We will be starting 3 thirty minute speech therapy sessions a week in the next 2

weeks. I plan to ask our SLP as well. But I think many of you could probably

have some input that could help.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thank you!

Velma