How to Communicate With Children Who Are Non-Verbal More Effectively

Communication is often thought of as the words we speak to share our thoughts and feelings with others. But communication is not always verbal — some children are non-speaking (commonly referred to as non-verbal). Even though children who are non-speaking do not use words, they still communicate.

It’s important for parents, teachers and speech-language pathologists to know how to communicate with children who are non-verbal. Encouraging your child or student to share their thoughts — even if (and especially when) they don’t use words — is an important building block in language development, socialization and connection.

Top 5 Ways Children Who Are Non-Speaking Communicate

Children who are non-speaking communicate through body language, sounds and movements, including:

• Sign language: Some children can communicate without words by using hand gestures in sign language.
• Makaton: Makaton is a language system used to communicate through signs and symbols.
• Motor gestures: Children can point to things they want or clap or blink to communicate an idea.
• Touch: A child may touch your hand to get your attention or face to express affection.
• Sounds: Squealing may indicate happiness, and a grunt can mean they are stressed.

How to Better Interpret Non-Speaking Communication

Parents and teachers can learn more about non-verbal communication, like how to interpret cues and communicate non-verbal cues successfully. You can improve how you communicate with children who are non-speaking in these ways:

• Hold a conversation: Talk to a child who is non-speaking the same way you would talk to a child who uses words. They have thoughts and opinions about the world around them, and conversations make children feel included and important. Talk about things that interest your child or student, and see how they respond.
• Ask a variety of questions: While having a conversation, aim to gather information from the child using different types of questions, so they can fully participate in the dialogue. Yes/no questions are a great starting place to get the conversation going. You can also ask questions that allow the child to express their unique thoughts and feelings.
• Make interactions fun and positive: You want having a conversation to feel fun and enjoyable. You may even try to incorporate humor into the conversation, like telling jokes or recalling funny moments from the past.
• Consider the context: Pay attention to the child’s behaviors — the way they act is a key part of expressing themselves. Some children who are non-speaking may experience frustration and anxiety from time to time, which can result in behaviors like aggression and tantrums. Think about the events that preceded this behavior and the consequences of these actions to determine why your child or student acted in the way they did.

Strategies for Encouraging Communication From Children Who Are Non-Speaking

Parents, teachers and therapists can employ several techniques to encourage children who are non-speaking to communicate. You can foster communication skills in children who are non-speaking in the following ways:

• Model non-speaking communication: Non-verbal communication, like gestures and eye contact, is the foundation of language. Building this type of communication can lead to a child using speech in the future. When talking to them, use gestures and motions they can understand and copy. For example, point to things you’re talking about, and nod your head “yes” when they make the right choice.
• Play games: Playtime allows for social interaction while building visual, fine and gross motor, and communication skills. Game ideas include sorting and matching, tactile play with textured materials and playing with toy instruments. Demonstrate what to do so your child or student can copy you, and encourage them to describe what they are experiencing and feeling via the communication method that works best for them.
• Imitate their communication style: Imitation is a role-playing technique that builds communication without speaking. Copy what your child or student does during playtime — in time, they may start to imitate what you do!
• Take the child’s lead: Follow along with the topic and the pace your child or student sets when playing to allow them to focus on something that interests them. As they play, narrate their actions with single words, like saying “block” if they pick up a toy block. The narration connects words to objects and actions, and using few words makes it easier for them to understand.
• Give them time to respond: When you communicate with a child who is non-speaking, they may give a partial response or not respond at all. Resist the urge to talk for them or mime the response you want from them — instead, give them the space to answer. Some children who are non-speaking need time to process what they want to communicate. If they respond in any way, respond back quickly to reinforce communication.
• Use a communication device: Many assistive devices are available that support communication for individuals who are non-speaking. These devices allow users to share their thoughts, make requests and complete a variety of other communication-related actions.

Devices That Help Children Communicate Without Words

Children who are non-speaking can express themselves through communicators, or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Individuals use these devices to navigate the complex requirements of communication and express themselves more easily. Communication devices improve the effectiveness of social interactions and help the user develop language and social skills.

Enabling Devices has a wide range of AAC devices to enhance communication for individuals of all ages who are non-speaking. There are many different types of communication devices available, so you can find an option based on factors like cognitive level, sensory-motor skills and vision abilities.

Our communicators include:

• Wearable communicators for communicating on the go
• Progressive communicators for developing language skills over time
• One-message communicators for playing one recorded message
• Two-message communicators for playing more than one message
• Classroom communicators for helping students get involved in the classroom
• Communicators for those with visual impairment for communicating with the help of tactile surfaces and bright lights

Explore our activity guides for communicators to learn more and get the most out of our products.

Shop Communication Devices and More

Enabling Devices has a wide selection of communication tools and assistive technology that allow individuals with special needs to fully participate in the world. We are proud to offer unique, effective products to help you open up new channels of communication for your student or child.

Shop our communicators on our website or contact us to learn more about what we do.