No Words, No Problem: Effective Non-Verbal Communication for Kids

Non-verbal communication is essential for children with speech delays, providing them with alternative ways to express their needs and feelings. Here are some effective methods and tools to consider:

Natural Non-Verbal Communication

Children often naturally pick up on non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and gestures. Encouraging and reinforcing these behaviors can be a good starting point.

 Sign Language

• American Sign Language (ASL) or a modified version can be used to communicate through visual gestures and signs.

• Considerations: If your child struggles with gestures like waving or high-fives, sign language might not be the most effective method for them.

Picture Exchange Communication

• Description: Picture Exchange Communication uses pictures that a child can give to their caregiver to express wants and needs.

• Benefits: This system teaches the back-and-forth nature of communication and can be an excellent starting point for many children.

  • Personal Experience: We used

Picture Exchange Communication for several years. It was the easiest method for our child to pick up and provided a clear way for her to communicate her needs and wants with different caregivers. 

Communication Boards

• Description: These boards display pictures or symbols representing wants, needs, feelings, and more.

• Benefits: They help non-verbal or minimally verbal children express themselves by pointing to the relevant images. For example, a child can point to a picture of a cup to indicate they are thirsty.

AAC Devices (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)

Description: These are electronic speech-generating devices, such as tablets or dedicated devices, that help children communicate through pictures, symbols, or text-to-speech.

Cost: While AAC devices can be expensive, insurance may cover the cost with a referral and AAC evaluation.

• Examples of AAC Apps:

• TouchChat

• Proloquo2Go

• LAMP Words for Life

• Note: These apps are often on sale during Autism Awareness Month.

Choosing the Right Method

Selecting the best non-verbal communication method for your child can be challenging. Here’s what we learned from our journey:

• Sign Language: This was not effective for our child because she struggled with gestures in general. So using specific gestures to communicate wasn't an option for her. 

• Communication Boards: These were difficult for us to implement due to the need to introduce many symbols at once.

• AAC Devices: While promising, they felt overwhelming to implement initially and come with a hefty price tag. If you want insurance to pay for your device, the process could take many months before you have the device in hand. 

Ultimately, we found success with a picture exchange system because it was straightforward to implement and easy for our child to use consistently across different caregivers and settings.

 Tips for Parents

1. Trial and Error: Don’t be afraid to try multiple methods to see what works best for your child.

2. Consistency: Whichever method you choose, consistency is key. Regular use will help your child become more comfortable and proficient.

3. Support: Seek support from speech therapists or other professionals who can guide you through the process and provide tailored advice for your child’s needs.

By exploring and implementing these non-verbal communication methods, you can help your speech-delayed child express themselves more effectively and reduce frustration for both of you.