Children with special needs can have complex physical and communication difficulties and might need assistance to develop their potential to communicate. The speech and language therapist can give advice on how to develop the communication potential of your child, support the school to implement strategies to develop communication and investigate alternative and augmentative forms of communication.
Assisted forms of communication can be:
- Signing and gesture
- Objects
- Pictures and symbols
- Technology and communication aids.
Signing and gesture
Some children benefit from using signs and gestures to develop their communication and become more independent at interacting. For some children spoken language is too fast, signing key words with speech helps to slow down the interaction, gives extra visual clues to support understanding of spoken language and also helps them to remember what has been said. Examples are Makaton signing (used in CBBC programmes such as Mr Tumble), British Sign Language(BSL) and finger spelling.
Objects
Using real objects with children with communication difficulties can encourage them to make choices and interact. Holding up an orange and an apple and letting the child choose which one she would like, by pointing or looking at it, can be a powerful way to communicate for some children.
Objects can also be used to help children anticipate and understand what will happen next. Showing a favourite bath toy indicates its bath time.
Pictures and symbols
As the child learns the meaning of pictures and symbols an effective way to communicate can be achieved by pointing with fingers, hand or eyes to photos, symbols or words. Photos, symbols or words can be used individually or grouped in a page, chart or stored in a book.
Communication charts and books are useful to be used in any environment, don’t need any batteries and can be organised by topic pages.
Communication aids and technology
A communication aid helps a person to communicate with others around him/ her and can range from simple picture charts, letter/alphabet boards, battery operated devices with recorded messages to complex software and technology.
Before selecting a communication aid the speech and language therapist will evaluate the child’s individual needs and abilities and discuss personal preferences. Sometimes other professionals might also be involved when there are physical and sensory limitations which can limit the use of a communication aid.