We know that children with autism benefit from support — as early as possible — to help them develop the social and communication skills they might not be developing on their own. There are well-researched practices for nurturing these skills that parents (not just professionals) can use in daily interactions with their kids.

This week, in honor of Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, we explore techniques for prompting kids to build early communication skills, including nonverbal ones that are the basis for language acquisition — things like looking at someone, pointing to something, and imitating what someone is doing. These techniques are part of a program called Project ImPACT, which coaches parents on how to use routine interactions, from playtime to bath time to riding in the car, to encourage social communication. We are also rounding up other resources about autism — behavior that might have hidden medical causes, picky eating, the challenges of puberty, and the pattern of behavior that’s been labeled pathological demand avoidance.

— Caroline Miller, Editorial Director | ✉