While we often think of communication as being primarily in the verbal realm, nonverbal communication is just as important and maybe even more crucial in developing the building blocks for socialization. Recognizing that eye contact, actions, gestures and sounds all send messages about what someone is thinking or feeling sets the stage for perspective taking, empathy and joint attention.
Nonverbal communication also sets the stage for speech development. A child who recognizes the communicative power of their body movements can subsequently grasp that speech and gestures hold meaning. Here are some things you can do to increase your child’s nonverbal communication, and lay down the pathway for the development of two-way communication:
• Do less so your child does more. Rather than anticipating and rushing to fulfill your child’s needs, or allowing your child to easily access things they want, build in motivation for them to communicate with you. Offer choices among objects rather than giving them what you know they want. Offer a choice that you know they in fact will not want and wait for them to verbalize that they don’t want it or want something else.
• Wait, and actively watch for your child’s cues. You can encourage communication by simply waiting for your child to use a gesture, gaze, or sound to indicate what he or she wants. You may even hold out the desired item but wait for eye contact, an outstretched hand, or a vocalization before handing over the item. Provide a simple narration for what your child is communicating, i.e. state “I want ball,” as if speaking for your child, or “Sammy wants ball.” If your child uses crying and screaming to communicate, waiting will only increase this behavior. You have to be proactive in enticing them with items or situations where they will want to communicate and then wait and watch for their cues.
• Create communication temptation. If you child wants a drink, put it in the cup, bend down to their level and hold it in front of you, but wait for a gesture or vocalization before handing it over. Keep favorite items or snacks visible but out of reach so that your child has to seek you out and make a communicative overture to obtain the items.
These strategies will all serve to strengthen your child’s understanding of the power of communication to have their needs met, and will increase their motivation to communicate.
Working With Autism is located at 16530 Ventura Blvd, Suite 510 in Encino. For more information, please call 818-582-2210 and visit www.workingwithautism.com.