How To Communicate With A Non Verbal Child
By Anna Collins
1 year ago
1. Use pictures/ visual aids
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Kids are very visual, so if your child is non-verbal they may respond better to pictures or visual aids. This doesn't mean that you should replace talking with pictures, but assist your conversation with pictures to reinforce your words in a more engaging way.2. Use sign language (ASL)
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American Sign Language (ASL) is a great way for your non-verbal child to communicate with you. Teach them ASL as a way to be able to express what they want and need, without having to speak. It means that they will also be a part of a huge ASL community.3. Join in with their communication style
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Your child may be non-verbal, but they will develop their own way of communicating with you. Communication comes in many different ways and styles that do not involve speech. And so, follow your child's guide and join in when they communicate in their own way to show you are listening and understanding them.4. Use lots of playtime!
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Playtime is a crucial part of a child's development, and most of their learning is done through play. So use play as a way to communicate with your child and show them that communication is fun, and it will give them confidence in a safe environment to communicate in ways that they want to.5. Use simple language
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One of the things to watch out for is that you are not overcomplicating language when you are speaking verbally to your child. To get them comfortable with the language it is better to use language that is simple and therefore can be easily understood by your child.6. Pay attention to facial expressions
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Facial expressions are the most authentic way to see what somebody is feeling. So pay attention to the facial expressions of your non-verbal child to know how they are feeling and to be able to assess what they may need. You'll be able to know how they are feeling by watching their body language and facial expressions.7. Use social cues
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Language is often how we pick up on social cues, but so are things like body language. So although your child isn't using language, it's still important to reinforce and use social cues with your child, and your child will use them in their own way too.8. Pause and give them time
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When you have said something, pause and leave sometime in between what you have said so that your child has time to process the langue. Don't overwhelm them with too much information without them having time to comprehend and respond in a none verbal way.9. Keep talking
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Don't be put off speaking to your nonverbal child. It is important that as well as communicating with them in different ways, you continue to talk to them as well so that your child does not form negative associations with speech and they get used to hearing it as something normal.10. Sit at eye level
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Talking down to your nonverbal child can be much less inviting and more intimidating when it comes to hearing language. Sitting at eye level can make them feel more comfortable, and they will also be able to watch your mouth more clearly so that they can see you form the words with your lips.11. Try art/ dance
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Art, whether that be physically making artwork or through dance and expression is so important in self-expression. A child who is nonverbal may communicate effectively and freely through creative means such as these. Through this, your child can display their feelings and feel able to communicate without being restricted.12. Always speak calmly
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Do not lose patience or speak angrily with your nonverbal child, as they must have positive associations with speech. The tone of voice is super important in helping a child understand your emotions and so speak calmly to let your child know that you are not angry with them.13. Use physical touch
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Physical touch is a way to form a connection and bond with your child. Physical contact is even more important than a conversation with a child as it forms the physical bond and emotional bond between you, letting them know that they are safe and protected, and loved.14. Be consistent in how you communicate
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Consistency is key to developing habits and learning. Don't keep switching up your communication style with your child or they may feel unable to understand or confused about how you want them to communicate back. Watch and listen to how they communicate with you and learn from them.15. Involve your pets or animals
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Never underestimate the power of the relationship between man and animals. A child may find comfort, friendship, and confidence in a relationship with an animal. Many nonverbal children find that they gain confidence in communication with pets/ animals first.16. Create a communication book
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If you keep a communication book from your child you will be able to detect how they display their thoughts and feelings down on paper. This way you can see if there are any changes in emotion, thoughts, or feelings on each page through comparisons.17. Use repetition to show what is important
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Repetition is the way that we learn, when something is reinforced over and over this is how we come to know it. So when you are communicating with your nonverbal child, use repetition just the same as you would do when you are communicating with a verbal child.18. Use positive reinforcement
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Positive reinforcement is the way children know that they have done something well, and something to make you happy. Positive reinforcement is what we should use to teach, as it builds up a child's confidence and makes them want to do it again, rather than negativity which will have adverse effects.19. Use hand gestures/ signals
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Hand gestures and signals are super easy and fun; your child can pick up on them, or you can pick up on the gestures your child uses. It can start out with things such as a simple thumbs up, and you will soon pick up a system of communication between the two of you.20. Establish a routine
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Routine is important with any child, but it may be even more important with a nonverbal child as consistency and safety are established in lifestyle and routine as well as things such as language. Routine makes a child feel settled and secure, meaning your child may find it easier to communicate as a result.21. Encourage any kind of communication
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It doesn't matter how you are communicating with your nonverbal child. What is important is knowing and understanding their needs, both physically and emotionally. So encourage any kind of communication, whether this is through gestures, expressions, music, or any kind of communication technique!22. Tell stories
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Just because your child is nonverbal, doesn't mean that they are not listening to you and that they are not interested in your words. Tell them stories to engage them in the language in a fun way. Stories are a great way for children to learn and interact.23. Use a reward system
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Reward systems are a controversial parenting topic. And while they may not always be a good thing at all times, they can be useful! Rewarding your nonverbal child is a kind of way to communicate, letting them know that you are proud of whatever achievement they have done.24. Socialize so that your child feels comfortable with people
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Sometimes nonverbal children can struggle with socializing because they recognize that most other people use speech. It can make them retreat and feel self-conscious. So, it's so important to ensure that your child is comfortable socializing so that they don't view it as a scary thing.25. Pay attention to body language
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Body language can tell us many, many things about how someone is feeling or what someone is thinking. So despite the fact that your child is not using speech to talk to you, by assessing their body language in combination with their personal forms of communication, you are informed on what your child feels in that given moment.26. Use functional communication training
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Functional communication training is a great way for your nonverbal child to learn so that your child can learn to express what they want and need. This will be a very effective way to teach your child the essentials. And, it is a proven method of communication.27. Use relaxation techniques
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Nonverbal children may have more stress because people will be communicating verbally, and they may feel out of place. It's important to take time out to do relaxation techniques so they know it is okay to communicate in the way they wish and build their confidence.28. Don't berate them for a lack of communication
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One of the most important things NOT to do, is berated your child for not communicating through speech. If anything, this will delay verbal communication even more because your child may lose confidence and self-esteem. Negative association with speech is something you should always avoid.29. Use social skills training
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Another good way to communicate with your nonverbal child is to study social skills training with them. This way, they can learn social skills that they may miss by not communicating verbally. This way they do not miss out on gathering important information on what to do and how to act.30. Reinforce words with actions/ facial expressions
