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>> Non-verbal communication <<
Do you want X or Y?
When I am out and about with my non-verbal son, I say 'do you want X' (tapping my hand in one spot) 'or Y' (tapping my hand in another). He then selects a spot. We use it for all sorts of communication now - not just choices.
Find other means of expression
Just because a person can not speak does not mean they have nothing to say! Give them an opportunity to express themselves. Dance, music, drawing, painting, messing with textures, running on Hampstead Heath, banging drums, shaking maracas - and ‘join in’ too. Don’t be afraid to lay down with them on the carpet and see the world from their point of view.
Complex needs guide
Mencap has produced a guide to communicating with people who have the most complex needs.
Communication guide (390.7 KB)
Makaton
My top tip is Makaton sign language! We are so glad we taught Zoe to use Makaton. Although she can't yet say any words, signing relieves any frustration no end - she can tell us what she wants, and the signs we use help her understand what we say. It takes a while but it's really worth sticking with.
Objects of reference
Objects of reference are a great way of helping people with profound learning disabilities and/or other sensory impairments to understand the world around them. Use an object to symbolise the activity they are about to particpate in, eg a fork for dinner, towel for bath. More info
Ipad protective case
The Otterbox Defender case seems to be the most rugged case to protect the ipad. The anti -glare screen protector is helpful too. You can also get a stylus which will reduce finger marks which affect the visibility of the screen for those with visual impairment or visual perceptual problems which a lot of autistic people have.
Proloquo2Go
If you need a communication aid and you're having problems finding something that your son or daughter finds socially acceptable, try an iTouch with Proloquo2Go http://www.proloquo2go.com
Social rules
Explaining social communication rules can be very difficult. Use a visual aid such as large coloured beads/finger puppets or play people to represent other people. Learning social communication rules is like learning a foreign language. They will get it, it's not impossible for them to learn, but it has to come from an external source and you have to teach them.
Symbols and pictures for charts
We really like www.do2learn.com/ they provide print off series for lots of different activities which you can use around the house. Eg washing hands, using the toilet …
It's not obvious
Therapist often ask you to keep eye contact with them. We (Aspies – people with Aspergers syndrome) often avoid eye contact because it helps us to focus on what someone is saying. I find it hard to process verbal information and think about signals from someone's face at the same time.
Laminator
If you are running a home based ABA programme or using symbols/photo cards, get a laminator – they come in small sizes and are brilliant for making your own sets of letters, picturces, pecs etc.
Likes and don't likes
We think it is important to give Ashley the opportunity to say what she likes/doesn’t like. There is no right or wrong answer which makes it a fun activity. You can use smiley/sad faces as symbols for like and don't like and use them in 'real life' situations as well as when looking at books etc.
It has meaning - it's just not obvious
We treat every non verbal indication as a communication and try to work out what Gaby is trying to say to us.
Make it mean something
Katie can clap her hands so we have taught her to clap when she wants to say yes
Level it up
Playing and talking are easier if you can see each other. Sit so you are at the same level.
No distractions
What isn’t distracting for us can be a problem for Toby who finds it hard to focus. We don’t just turn down the T.V, we turn it off. Also we only have out one or two activities at a time.
Talk about it
Eddy can’t speak and also has limited understanding but it is important to keep talking to him about what’s going on.
Mobile communication
You can download an app called 'Touch to talk', which effectively turns your ipod into a communication device; great for those with no or limited speech. It is an American voice and not a great one, but still a useful app and you can download it for free.
Worry book
We had a terrible time trying to bathe George, with lots of aggression, shouting and obsessive behaviour. I got a piece of paper and wrote on it 'I am worried about......'. He filled in 'going to school when it is raining without a coat'. I replied 'How can we make sure that doesn't happen again?' and we went on to have a really good conversation about all sorts of things. It allowed him to explain how he felt by writing it down rather than having to express himself verbally and the silence that surrounded us calmed his anger down. He has since called it his 'worry book' and now asks to do it again if he has a problem. It was one of the few moments that I feel we connected!
Keep it simple under stress
When upset we can all get confused by language so obviously each person will have different needs. Make some 'key word' cards as visual supports e.g. home/ school/ park/ car/ etc. or whatever is important and carry them with you as re-inforcers. I do them on the computer and laminate them and put in small book or key fob but it could be hand drawn and very simple.
Word bubbles
Carrie likes cartoons. We accidentally cottoned on to the idea that we could use them. We use cartoons with speech bubbles to make information more accessible for her.
Communication passports
A communication passport is a one page document that the child has with him or her all of the time. It gives the people they meet basic information about how they communicate and what support they need. You can find out more about communication passports at www.communicationpassports.org.uk
Communication books & charts
Some children can learn to make choices by pointing to a symbol and or word in a communication book or on a communication chart. They might be able to point with a fist or a finger or they might be able to point with their eyes or with a head pointer. There are tips on making communication books and boards and a sample eye pointing board that you can print out at: contactcandle.co.uk
What is he trying to say ?
A communication chart can help to identify the communicative meaning of behaviours. You can make a table to fill out as follows -
What is happening ? This is where you record the circumstances where communicative behaviour occurs
What the person does - here you describe the communicative behaviour
We think it means - this is best guess by those who know their person well as to the meaning of the behaviour
We should - this describes how others should respond to the behaviour.
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