Communication is so important for our students and ties into everything they are learning.  When a child has a method of communicating it helps reduce their frustration,  tantrums, aggression and it helps them to understand what is happening in the world. 

Sign Language (ASL)

Most of our students are visual learners.  They understand more what they see, then what the hear.  Even if your child is verbal and is starting to talk, using sign language will help them understand and learn to express themselves more quickly.

MORE

One of the easiest signs to teach your child is MORE.   You first need to figure out what your child really likes and when they go to grab it or push themselves against you to get more tickles. wait.  This is the time to start with a hand over hand MORE   Teaching your child to sign MORE will not stop them from speaking.  In fact, by giving them a visual way of communicating, they will start to speak.

Stage 1

When your child grabs for more of something or takes your hand to get more tickles.  Put what they want aside. I sign More.   I use the ASL sign and not baby sign.  I have high expectations and I want to teach them an actual language.  Then take their hands and shape the American Sign Language sign for More. As you are shaping their hands, say the word More.  Then give them one cookie or one quick tickle.



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Stage 2

 Continue onto stage 1 until your child attempts to put their hands together to shape something close to the ASL sign for More. Do not expect it to look exactly correct.  Similarly a child learning to speak using oral language will make approximations or attempts at words, for example Water may start as WaWa.  When this child says WaWa you say, Water and give them water. Once your child starts signing or saying MORE, you no longer shape their hands. At this stage, when your child pushes something they want to you, put it aside.  You sign and say the word MORE.  Then wait for the child to sign and or speak MORE.  Once they have signed or spoken the word MORE, give them the cookie or the tickle.  Often children will start speaking the word MORE as well as or instead of the sign.  This is great!  Accept the communication in either ASL or spoken English.     



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Stage 3

During stage 3, I no longer orally say the word to prompt them.  I simply sign the word.  I want to fade away the prompts to make their communication as independent as possible.  For children with autism, verbal prompts are very rewarding and reinforcing.  We want to fade the verbal prompt away as soon as possible, otherwise they will continually wait for us to speak the word before following through.  This is a good stage to use when your child is able to use words but is too frustrated to speak.  Remind them the words to use with sign language.


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Visuals

Using visuals simply means having your child look at something to prompt or help them communicate.  Many of my students can talk but still need visuals to help get the words out to at the right time to have their needs met.   When our students cannot find the words fast enough in their head, they will scream, bite, kick...  We show the picture symbol for 'Help'.  First we help them point at it and we say, "Oh, you need help."  Eventually the students will say, "Help" when we show them the pictures.  Finally they start to say help on their own without any prompting.   Below is a package of visuals you can print for you home to have your child point at to help with communication.

Core First Communication Book 6x6 English.pdf

Communication Apps

Communication Apps help you child speak by pressing pictures on a device.

Wait! 

Conversation is about taking turns.  As parents of children with special needs, you understand your child and often quickly  help them without giving your child a chance to tell you what they want.  Wait.  Pause 5 seconds.  Give your child time to try to say a word or point at what they want.  If you rush to fulfill your child's needs, they will never learn to communicate them on their own.   Your child needs to struggle a little bit in order to learn.

Choices

When ever possible, give choices.  Do you want an apple or orange?  Hold up the two objects and have your child point at what they want.  When they point at the object, say the word for them. "Apple, you want an apple."  Once your child can say some words, wait for them to try to say the word before giving them the choice.  It is okay if they say, "Aaa" when trying to say apple.  You can slowly increase what you expect them to say as they show they are capable of saying more sounds and full words.   Encouraging communication really works well in highly motivating situations.  For example if your child really loves tickles, wait for them to try to say or sign the word 'more' before you tickle them again.