is this really true?

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	my son is only labeling. he speaks only with words no sentences yet.  i tell my speech therapist she has to work on making him say sentences, but she tells me since my son doesnt understand receptive language very good we have to work on that part first. i dont know realy receptive language has to get better then expressive language or it doesnt matter? I would say your speach therapist is probably right.  My son is also labeling and imitating but he has only just started to understand what we say to him (at 4 years).  Now that he understands more each day his expressive language is exploding.  Well exploding in relation to what it was before :-)  I kind of think of it as how can they really communicate if they don't understand and that is what receptive language is to me (understanding).  Everything else is just memorizing a word to go with a picture.  The receptive language started to improve after using PECS for over a year and we still have lots of work to do...but this is from a kid that didn't understand what go "bye bye" meant to know understanding things like go to mommy's room etc...I had one more comment.  I have read that with VB it is better to have him use a sentence for example to request something like I want cookie instead of just saying cookie.  You might check that out.  That is what my son is doing and it has also helped.  He hasn't quite mastered the I want part but he will repeat it and understands it which is probably helping his receptive language.I agree...receptive language is very important.  I noticed that when Jacob's receptive language picked up, he started labeling things.  When it picked up some more, he started calling me Mama.  When it got to the point where he's at now, he's able to follow simple 4-5 word commands, and has started using some words appropriately instead of just echolic speech presenting itself.  He can't express, "I want to watch spongebob" yet, but give him the remote and he can turn it on that channel himself when I tell him to.  Jacob still won't take the initiative and turn on something by himself.  I have to tell him what to do, but he can do it because his receptive language skills have improved to that point.  Very few words still, but I know they are not far off now.Receptive language means understanding what is said to him.  Of course it's important to understand before you speak.  What alarms me, though, is it seems that this speech therapist is not addressing the MAIN issue with autism speech delays -- not understanding COMMUNICATION. Is the SLP using PECS or some other research-based technique that will help your son use his strong visual sense to learn what language is FOR?  Or sign language?  Or Verbal Behavior?  It's imperative that you get trained in whatever technique the speech therapist is using to teach your son "pragmatics" (the USE of language) so that you can reinforce this 24/7.  Try searching PECS posts on this site for more info.and remember that some children are in therapy for years before their children sound close to typical. Try to be patient. she doesnt use pics but she uses sign and visually giving him clue. but i think he need more than that. Hi Lilli.  This is a problem we are trying to overcome now.  Liam's receptive language skills were rated during his assesment at 18 with splinters to 24 months.  I anticipated that receptive langauge would be an issue when he started school, and it is.  He does have many words that he understands.  However, he understands them only because we have been signing and using flashcards repetitively.  His ST is using both verbal and visual prompts.  So far, he seems to be responding equally to both.  Although he is a visual learner in some aspects, we have been able to teach him many things through music and songs.  Body parts, colors and several fingerplays to increase his eye to hand coordination.  Thus far, he uses predominantly labeling words (about 50) and uses a handful of other words for communication.  Outside, eat, night night are a few examples. When my son initially began school, I was really perplexed as to how they were approaching his speech and communication issues as these are his biggest impediments.  After researching the issue and posting my concerns on here...I learned that the visual and verbal prompt approach for receptive language must come first before speech can begin or be improved. GTTO recently posted on here indicating that pushing speech before her receptive skills were up to par caused major problems in her early years. It sounds like you and I are on the right track.  If your ST is using visuals, that should lead the way to much better receptive skills first...and then to language. Good luck. yes yepperbepper. its been almost year and half my son started to label things. and its mostly toward his needs and tv shows things like that. im taking him to denver this summer to do that tomates music therapy. i hope it help.Not pics, PECS.  It's a communication system based on standardized pictures that is used VERY successfully with kids on the autism spectrum to help them make the leap from words to language.  It's not unlike using sign language, but the problem with sign language is that if a child masters sign language, he can speak only with people who know sign language. With PECS, he can use the icons (pictures) to communicate with ANYONE. MOST kids don't need to use PECS forever. It has been shown to help spoken language (as opposed to mere words) develop.  Ask the speech thereapist about it. If she doesn't know what PECS is, get another speech therapist!  This is standard for use with ASD kids nowadays.
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