COMMUNICATION SUPPORT
Communication can look different for every child. This section offers practical ideas, encouragement, and resources for supporting speech, language, understanding, and meaningful connection.
Children may communicate through spoken words, gestures, facial expressions, pictures, devices, movement, or other forms of expression.
Focus on creating opportunities for communication rather than demanding a specific response.
Short and clear language can make communication easier to understand.
For example, instead of saying, "Can you please go get your shoes because we are getting ready to leave the house?" try using "First" and "Then" statements:
"First shoes on. Then we go."
Some children need additional time to process what they hear before responding.
After asking a question or giving a direction, pause and allow time for the child to process before repeating yourself.
Pictures, schedules, first-then boards, choice cards, and visual reminders can support understanding and reduce frustration.
Visuals can be especially helpful when spoken language alone is difficult to process.
Instead of repeatedly asking a child to say a word, model useful language naturally.
If a child reaches for juice, you might say:
"Juice. I want juice."
A gesture, picture, sound, word, sign, or device selection can all be meaningful communication.
Responding positively helps children learn that communication is powerful and worthwhile.