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Communicating with your child who doesn't use words to talk

We all know people who can speak volumesyour board so that you can show me the
without ever opening their mouths. Theypicture next time!"
use their hands, their body language,#2 - Ideas & Feelings
their facial expressions. Experts tell7. Augmentative Communication Boards -
us that when we talk with each other,These devices come in an amazing array
only 7% of our message is communicatedof shapes & sizes (& prices) and can
by the actual words we speak. Now thatreally allow your child to communicate
we know that communication is not reallyan awesome variety of messages both
about words -- it may be a little easierpractical & more abstract. If you feel
to look beyond words when we communicatelike your child is ready for this level
with our kids who don't use words toof device (a good clue is when they
"talk". Our tips today are divided intofrequently seem to have things to say
2 groups -- #1) communicating theirthat they just can't communicate
basic needs & the stuff in theireffectively) then there are several
environment & #2) sharing their ideas,things you need to do: „X Find a good
feelings, & comments on life. So wherespeech language pathologist to assist
do we start.you. „X Have your SLP do a full
Our words of wisdom:assessment to determine what type of
#1 - Needs & Stuffmessages your child needs or wants to
1. Start with yes & no - By startingsend & what types of devices they can
with yes & no you give your child theoperate or learn to operate
ability to answer two very importantindependently. „X Work with your SLP to
questions: „X Are you (tired, hungry,narrow down the number of possible
thirsty, etc)? „X Do you want (a snack,devices to just 2 or 3. If possible try
your red shirt, to go to the park)?to borrow the devices for an in home
Another advantage of starting with yestrial period from a state technology
no is that it can be done in a varietylending library or the actual company
of ways from the standard head nod tothat sells the device. „X Try to
virtually any combination of motoranticipate all of your technology needs
responses. For example, twitching theup front. Who will train your child to
left hand can mean yes & a head jerk canuse the device? Who will program the
mean no. The key is to find somethingdevice, both now & as your child's needs
your child has good control of & to usechange? Who will train your family &
the system consistently.other support people in how to use the
2. Choice making - The next logical stepdevice? Who will repair the device if it
from yes/no is usually a point response.breaks down? Will you need help to fund
This allows you to offer your child athe device? If so, what do you need to
wider range of options. Instead of doingdo now to obtain the funding ? This
the time consuming one at a time choicesounds like a lot of effort & it can be.
you can offer your child a 2-3 choicesBut if your child truly can utilize a
at a time. If a point response doesn'tcommunication device to "find their
work this can also be managed using headvoice" everything you do will be worth
movements to the right, left, & center.it.
Just be sure your child understands the8. Teach typing - This may seem like an
choices & which item he/she is picking!old fashioned suggestion, but give it
3. Word Labels - If your child is mobilesome thought. Whether you use an actual
& has a fairly large vocabulary (or iftypewriter or teach them to type on a
you want to encourage more vocabulary)computer keyboard you give them 1
word labels may be a good choice fortremendous advantage -- free thought.
your family. Labeling involves typingYour child will be able to say virtually
the names of frequently used objects inanything (& they probably will!). This
a large type size, laminating the sign &approach does not rely on anyone else to
attaching it with velcro to the actualselect pictures or program phrases. It's
item. When your child wants the itemall their own creation. One advantage of
they simply pull off the label & bringgoing with the computer keyboard --
it to you. This works really well if youthere is software available that can
start with your child's favorite items.anticipate frequently used phrases. This
In addition to exposing your childsaves valuable keystrokes for slow
regularly to written words this alsotypists that may have lots to say!
encourages your child to initiate9. Comment Cards - A decided more low
requests rather than wait on someonekey approach is comment cards. These are
else to offer them something.simply index cards with different
4. Touch Screens - Touch screens are acomments typed on them in a large size.
wonderful invention! They allow yourThe cards can be color coded to help
child to experience the awesomekids select the one they one quickly &
sensation of being in control -- makingeasily. So, the red card says "I need a
things happen! In addition to thisbreak" & the blue card says "I want a
experience with cause & effect theyturn", etc. Comment cards work well for
encourage kids to get comfortable withkids who see a lot of different people
the computer. Down the road that comfortin the course of their day. Even folks
& familiarity will go a long way towardsthey don't know too well will understand
helping them adjust to more complicateda printed message. Communication isn't
assistive technology devices.so secure if they are relying on subtle
5. Request/schedule boards - Requestbody movements.
boards are simply photographs or black &10. Switch activated signals - These
white drawings of objects & activitiessignals can be operated a variety of
that your child enjoys or needs often.switches that can be geared to virtually
They can be easilly updated as yourany controlled body movement. Signals
child's favorites change & work wellusually consist of lights, sounds, or
velcroed to wheelchair trays for kidsvibrations & work well if your child
who spend lots of time seated in aattends group activities where they need
wheelchair. Even the pictures can beto communicate with the group leader.
velcroed on if you have a reallyCommon messages might be, "I'm done" or
"changeable" child. This allows the"I need help with this". Although these
child to select which pictures they wanttips may seem simple we feel that most
on their board at the beginning of thecommunication systems will actually use
day. Picture boards also work well fora combination of approaches. What works
school or family schedules & can helpat school, may not always be right for
kids who stress about change know what'shome & vice versa. The most important
coming up next.things to shoot for when developing a
6. Show me - Perhaps the simpliestcommunication system: „X Does your
communication strategy is the simplechild understand the system & can they
"Show me what you need" response. Thisuse it independently. „X Is your family
can be a real frustration reliever when& other people your child sees regularly
your child just can't get the words outcomfortable enough with the system to
or make their body cooperate. The onlyuse it every day. „X Is the system
drawback to this strategy is that kidsreliable & useful enough that it is
rapidly become "sleeve tuggers" if youworking & in use more than it is broken
use this method regularly. A good way toor stuffed in a closet.
prevent this is to build in step 2 rightHopefully some of these ideas will allow
from the beginning. Once your childyou to open the wonderful world of
shows you the desired item, respond withcommunication to your child! Happy
"Oh you wanted your teddy bear! Great!chatting!
Now, let's add a picture of teddy to



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