Supporting Kids with Communication Needs: The 5 Golden Rules
#1: Limit the Pressure to Talk: Many kids with communication needs are highly aware of their difficulties. Attempts to help your child verbalize by suggesting they "use their words" or encouraging them to respond to peers (ex: "say hi", "say thank you") may often lead to decreased verbal output.
#2: Create Opportunities for Nonverbal Participation: Brainstorm ways that your child can participate in activities where verbal participation isn't necessary. Have them point to something in a picture instead of verbally responding to a question. Think of ways that they can show you rather than tell you and participate with actions instead of words.
#3: Utilize Alternative Forms of Communication: Consider using ASL signs, gestures, or pictures to expand communication potential. A "core board" with words like "water", "bathroom", and "help" can give your child another way to communicate with you for a variety of purposes throughout your day.
#4: Create a Visual Schedule: Use photos or picture icons to represent the order of activities for your day. Review the schedule with your child at the beginning of the day and refer back to it during transitions. You can also draw pictures on a whiteboard or piece of paper in lieu of printed pictures.
#5: Use Fewer Questions and More Modeling: Instead of asking a question that requires a verbal response, try modeling the words you think your child would want to say. If your child has difficulty with open-ended questions, try giving them 2 choices to pick from instead.
**These 5 Golden Rules can also easily be applied to your child's classroom if he/she is in school. This would be a great list to share with your child's teacher as you work together to have a successful school year.
floor plan maker is a great resource for this. The tip to create opportunities for nonverbal participation, like pointing to a picture instead of answering a question, is a simple but powerful shift. It takes the pressure off and helps kids feel successful.
GLBtoOBJ makes a great point about limiting the pressure to talk, which is often overlooked. It's really helpful to be reminded that encouraging a child to "use their words" can sometimes backfire. Creating those nonverbal participation opportunities feels like a much more supportive approach.
The insight about limiting pressure to talk, which I found in ZEnhancer, makes so much sense—pushing for words can sometimes shut a kid down even more. Focusing on nonverbal participation first, like pointing instead of speaking, seems like a much gentler way to build connection.
After reading popemote, I was especially struck by the point about avoiding phrases like "use their words," as it's something many parents likely say without realizing the potential impact. Focusing on nonverbal participation, like pointing to a picture instead of responding verbally, seems like a great way to reduce anxiety. This approach feels so much more supportive for building a child's confidence.
The advice to limit pressure to talk and instead create opportunities for nonverbal participation is really insightful. It makes so much sense that telling a child to "use their words" could actually decrease their verbal output. For families looking for more tools, a grid maker could be a helpful resource for creating those core boards or visual schedules mentioned.