How do I teach communication skills to children with nonverbal autism? 🤔🌟

Did you know that approximately 25% to 50% of children are impacted by nonverbal autism?

These children have difficulty expressing their needs, often leading to frustration and aggressive behavior.

Photo by Natasha Hall on Unsplash

If you're a caregiver or teacher of children who live with nonverbal autism, teaching them communication skills will help these children express themselves.

Communication involves sharing information through speech, writing, or gestures, and it helps children express their needs and wants.

Children with nonverbal autism have great challenges with speaking, learning the language, and understanding what others say.

Nonverbal autism doesn't always mean nonspeaking. Some children might actually have some limited verbal skills.

To effectively teach communication, you must understand how nonverbal autistic children communicate.

Verbal communication

• echolalia, where a child repeats words or phrases

• repetition of the same word multiple times

• confusion of pronouns — for example, a child may use "you" instead of "I"

Nonverbal communication

• physically pushing for desired objects

• pointing, gazing, or using objects to express needs and wants

Teaching communication skills is vital for development and promotes independence and social interaction for nonverbal autistic children. To improve communication, try these strategies:

1. Use Hand Gestures and Eye Contact

Hand gestures and maintaining eye contact can help your child better understand your message.

Example: A child signals to the cookie jar on the counter, and the caregiver gives them a cookie. The child nods as they receive it.

2. Use Play

Playing helps your child see and understand how you communicate.

Example: A child and caregiver play with toy cars. They make engine noises and have fun together.

3. Use Role-Playing and Imitation

Pretending and copying help children develop communication skills and learn how to converse.

Example: A caregiver engages in interactive pretend play with a child, encouraging conversation and taking turns during the activity.

1. Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

image by Joereddington from Wikimedia Commons

With PECS, children learn to exchange pictures for desired items or actions, gradually building their communication skills.

2. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices

AAC devices help by giving different ways to communicate, like using symbols or text on a device.

To see how it's used, watch the TikTok below:

3. Visual supports

Visual aids like schedules and picture cards can improve children's social skills and independence by providing visual cues.

Watch the video below to learn more about how visual aids work and their benefits.

Photo by MI PHAM on Unsplash

Empower children with nonverbal autism by teaching them effective communication skills. Use various interactive methods.