Optimizing speech in autism is a necessity to fulfill daily basis communication and expressing their feeling or their need in a meaningful conversation.
Each kids may need different form of method in verbalizing words, some kids may not be able to say words at all.
In my son's case, for example, he regressed day by day until they totally disappeared. The only word he has left is "GO".
I am learning to understand him, learn how to talk to him, how to deliver a clear information that's easy for him to process.
In our class, I set up speech once a week. My target was only to look into daily basic words he needs to know the most if he wants to manifest his favorite things.
Adam communicated through his app called Proloquo2Go, he is doing well and improving so far in navigating and finding icon by icon through some folders. Sometimes I see him sitting there scrolling and exploring word after words.
Nonetheless it's hard to get his interest into it, but without doubt modeling is the only alternative to get him independently using it.
This video was taken 6 months ago for his dad's birthday, as you see I had to move my hand quick before he erased the icons he tapped. Back then he still refused to use his ipad talker.
Please never give up guys. It is baby steps but in the end is worth it.