Communication is an essential skill for every child, but expressing thoughts and needs can be particularly challenging for children with nonverbal autism. Parents often seek effective ways to help their children communicate, and the good news is that meaningful progress can start right at home.
A Gem of Joy specializes in verbal behavior therapy, providing families with guidance and support to foster communication development. Discovering the best communication strategies for autism can help you connect with your child and support their growth. With patience, consistency, and the right tools, you can build communication skills and strengthen your bond along the way.
What Is Nonverbal Autism?
Nonverbal autism refers to people on the autism spectrum who have little to no spoken language. However, being nonverbal does not mean a child cannot communicate. Many children with nonverbal autism express themselves through gestures, facial expressions, body language, and assistive communication devices.
Each child with autism has a unique way of engaging with the world, which is why it’s important to implement tailored autism communication strategies that meet their needs.
Autism Communication Tools for Parents to Utilize
Parents play a critical role in their child’s communication development. Here are some effective strategies for how to build communication skills in nonverbal children:
Encourage Gestures and Nonverbal Cues
Before spoken words, communication starts with gestures. Encourage your child to use pointing, clapping, or reaching to express their needs. Reinforce these gestures by positively responding so they understand their actions have meaning.
Use Visual Supports
Autism communication tools, such as picture exchange systems (PECS), communication boards, and visual schedules, play a crucial role in helping children express their wants and needs. These tools offer a structured and effective way for children to communicate without relying on spoken language, fostering clearer understanding and connection.
Implement Assistive Technology
Technology can open up new avenues of communication for children who struggle with verbal speech. Speech-generating devices and communication apps, such as Proloquo2Go or TouchChat, help children convey their thoughts effectively.
Practice Turn-Taking Activities
Communication is a two-way process. Engaging in turn-taking games, such as rolling a ball back and forth or taking turns using a favorite toy, teaches children the basics of interaction and social engagement.
Use Modeling and Imitation
Children learn through imitation. When using communication skills at home, model simple words, gestures, or signs while interacting with your child. Even if they do not immediately imitate, repeated exposure helps them understand and use communication techniques over time.
How to Teach Communication Skills at Home
Parents can integrate daily activities into learning moments for communication. Here are some practical ways to build nonverbal autism communication skills:
Label Everyday Items
When engaging with your child at home, label objects around them. Point to a “cup” and say the word while holding it up. Over time, your child may start associating words with objects and use gestures or symbols to indicate what they want.
Create Communication Opportunities
Encourage your child to communicate by setting up situations where they need to ask for something. Instead of automatically giving them their favorite snack, pause and encourage them to use a gesture, a picture card, or a sound to request it.
Read Books with Interactive Elements
Choose books with textures, flaps, or repetitive phrases to engage your child. Reading together not only strengthens bonding but also reinforces communication through pointing, looking, and responding to questions.
Encourage Play-Based Learning
Play is an excellent way to develop communication skills. Activities such as pretend play, sensory bins, and interactive games encourage expression in a non-stressful and engaging environment.
The Importance of Patience and Consistency
Building communication skills takes time. Every child learns at their own pace, and parents should remain patient and celebrate small successes. Consistency is key—incorporating autism communication strategies into daily routines reinforces learning and helps children feel more comfortable expressing themselves.
How A Gem of Joy Can Help Your Family
A Gem of Joy is dedicated to helping families develop communication strategies tailored to their child’s needs. Through verbal behavior therapy, we provide structured, evidence-based approaches that support children in learning to express themselves. Our team offers guidance, training, and access to autism communication tools that can be used at home to enhance your child’s communication journey.
Contact A Gem of Joy for Help Strengthening Communication Skills with Your Child
Helping nonverbal children with autism develop communication skills takes patience, creativity, and the right tools. As a parent, you can create a supportive environment by encouraging gestures, using visual aids, trying out helpful tech, and incorporating play into learning. With love and the right strategies, small steps can lead to significant progress.
A Gem of Joy is here to help if you want additional support and personalized guidance. Call us today at 888.501.6641 or contact us online to learn more about our verbal behavior therapy and how we can assist your child in building essential communication skills at home.