Speech Therapy for Nonverbal Children
Speech therapy plays a crucial role in the lives of non-verbal children. Advantage Therapy helps in overall self-expression and the improvement of communication skills. Nonverbal children may be troubled due to different issues regarding developmental delay, autism, or speech impediment. Fortunately, several types of speech therapy techniques and tools can help overcome this hurdle.
We have attempted to cover the most effective techniques of Speech Therapy for Nonverbal Children. We are also going to discuss tools such as AAC devices, the use of sign language, and other innovative ways of communication to encourage and promote communication and social as well as emotional development for non-verbal children.
Understanding Nonverbal Communication in Children:
Nonverbal communication is the ability to communicate things without using voice. Children who are nonverbal can communicate through body language, gestures, facial expressions, and similar cues if they are unable to communicate verbally.
Expressing their needs, plans, or feelings may not be easy for nonverbal children. Thus, it may result in frustration, anxiety, and other additional behavioral troubles. Early intervention through treatment better helps them become better and happier communicators.
Why Is Speech Therapy Important for Nonverbal Children?
Non-verbal speech children require speech therapy for a host of reasons. First and foremost, they will provide the child with appropriate ways of conveying meaning and less frustration. Also, it teaches the child how to communicate properly with others because communication has a major role to play in socializing.
Also, children with speech problems can use speech therapy to acquire motor and cognitive skills. This includes using their mouth, tongue, and throat to produce sound or even using a communication device.
Major Approaches of Speech Therapy for the Nonverbal Child:
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Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices:
AAC devices have proven among the best aids applicable to nonverbal children. Such devices could include simple picture boards and go as far as the very sophisticated electronic devices that help in pointing to objects, pictograms or symbols, or type messages, which make it possible for a child to say that it is more than just the use of words.
There are two categories of AAC systems, which include:
- Unaided AAC: This includes sign language or gesture systems
- Aided AAC: This includes communication supports such as a picture board, communication apps, or the use of speech-generating devices (SGDs)
Speech-generating devices (SGDs) are some of the most reputed AAC devices. Children select words or pictures “to speak” to complete the output by the SGD. Such devices can be proven to be of much help for the nonverbal child in expressing himself or herself.
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Sign Language:
For nonverbal kids, sign language is another handy technique. It lets children communicate with each other indirectly through hand gestures and signs rather than through spoken words. Many children with speech delays or autism use sign language to help them express themselves.
Sign language is easy to learn and can be added to everyday routines. For instance, therapists usually adapt visual cues and hand signs to teach children how to address basic needs such as “more,” “help,” or even “eat.”
One of its advantages is that children start communicating with their caregivers before they can start to speak.
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The Picture Exchange Communication System Measurement:
This is an approach commonly used by deaf children. PECS uses signs and pictures as ways of conveying expressions and needs between individuals. For example, a child will exchange photographs with a caregiver or therapist for wanting things, expressing emotion, or choosing things with others.
PECS is progressive and a well-directed system. First, children learn to give pictures to indicate their requirements. Subsequent stages help them build quite complex statements like sentences or choices.
PECS can be recognized as an important instructor to many children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities. It not only encourages communication alone in the minds of children but teaches them to be able to use images to express their needs to others.
Types of Speech-Language Therapy Techniques:
The speech-language pathologist can apply numerous techniques for communication development in a non-verbal child, including:
- Oral Motor Exercises: These movements help the child control his mouth muscles and produce sounds. This will eventually facilitate his articulation.
- Modeling: This is directly demonstrated for the child to see the words and/or actions by the therapist. This teaches the children about the sounds, words, and actions in connection to each other.
- Reinforcement: The children would be encouraged by positive reinforcement and repeated desirable behavior. Such as praising a child when he/she uses a word or symbol to communicate.
Engaging Play-based Therapy:
The method of engaging play-based therapy plays a strong role in speech improvement. By employing play, it propels the child’s willingness and connection to converse. In the case of kids who can’t speak, this form of therapy aids them in portraying their feelings, deciding for themselves, and establishing a connection with other individuals.
In the time of playing, professionally trained therapists may introduce toys, board games, or storybooks in an effort to coax kids into indulging in conversation. These playful tasks also stimulate socializing, which is an essential element in shaping the emotional and cognitive growth of a child.
Essential Tools for Speech Therapy:
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Communication Apps:
There are a variety of applications available for nonverbal children to assist them in communicating their thoughts and needs through pictures, symbols or recordings of voices. Some of these apps include popular ones like Proloquo2Go and LAMP Words for Life.
These applications can be installed on portable smartphones or tablets, thus making communication even more effective when one happens to travel away from home.
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Visual Supports:
For nonverbal children, things like schedules and charts and diagrams are also very helpful. These are tools for helping children understand routines or expectations so that they can learn to communicate better with others.
It can also lessen anxiety and provide direction so that it becomes easier for very silent children to join in conversations.
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Speech Generating Devices (SGD):
These are devices that convert the text into speech. Such devices are used mainly by nonverbal children who cannot speak but have some ability to use their hands or eyes to select words. It has a lot of customization options as per the needs and preferences of each child.
Selecting the Right Speech Therapy Technique for Your Child:
Several aspects, like age, developmental level and particular needs of your child, affect your choice of the speech therapy technique for him/her. The most appropriate and effective therapy technique would be that which is established with an expert speech-language pathologist (SLP).
Consider your child’s comfort with other tools; some may respond well to sign language, while others might benefit most from AAC devices. Be flexible and patient while exploring this option.
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Final Thoughts:
Speech therapy is a necessary part of the development process for all nonverbal children. Such techniques include devices allowing the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication, sign language, and Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS). Early intervention guarantees that these children will have all the vehicles they need to succeed in their social, emotional, and academic worlds.
Thus, adopting the right techniques and equipment to communicate with the world would help nonverbal children move across the limitations of communicating with people.
