Some children need help communicating. There are many ways to assist or augment children’s communication. These might include pictures, sign language, computers, smartphones, tablets, and many different portable devices that allow children to voice their needs, wants, thoughts and ideas.
There are many different reasons children need augmentative and assistive devices. Some children may have problems coordinating tongue, teeth, lips and palate to be able to say words clearly. Some children may need support with social interaction. Other children may not be able to hear and may have difficulty forming speech sounds. Augmentative and assistive communication devices can be used in the short-term to facilitate communication development, or they might also be a child’s long-term primary means of communication.
Many people think that if a child begins to use a different means of communication, they will not learn to talk. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Studies indicate that the use of an alternate means of communication actually increases the likelihood that a child will learn to talk, and that when they do talk, they will be more social and have a greater vocabulary.
It is important to remember that augmentative and alternative methods of communication are in fact, communication. We can support and encourage children using augmentative or alternative means of communication by responding to them in the same way as if they had said something verbally. For example, if you see a child with a picture communication system and they point to a picture of the “park,” engage them in a conversation about the park. Perhaps, you might ask them whether they went to the park and what they did or saw. When your children see you interacting with others, they will be encouraged to do the same.