Autism: When is it good to talk to yourself?

Self-directed speech, or talking to oneself is a behavior that appears frequently in autistic individuals and is often misunderstood by parents and educators. In many cases, self-talk serves a genuine cognitive function: it helps regulate behavior, work through problems, rehearse social situations, or process sensory and emotional experiences. Rather than a symptom to be eliminated, self-directed speech in autism is often a functional coping strategy. The clinical question is one of context: when does self-talk support the child's functioning, and when does it interfere with learning or social inclusion? Autism Centers of Pittsburgh takes a functional, individualized approach to all behavioral presentations. Contact us to discuss your child's specific needs and how we can help.

Connect with Autism Centers of Pittsburgh →