Communication is critical for a child’s development and growth. If your child is nonverbal, finding ways to help them communicate is crucial for them to express their thoughts, needs, and feelings. Developing communication helps children build relationships and boosts their self-confidence.
Fortunately, there are several strategies to help nonverbal children communicate. Speech therapy offers various tools and techniques that empower your child to express themselves more effectively. Communication isn’t limited to spoken words; there are many ways to communicate, and speech therapy can open up those possibilities for your child.
At PediaPlex, we support each child’s unique communication needs through speech therapy, occupational therapy, and applied behavior analysis (ABA).
For nonverbal children, speech therapy often focuses on supportive communication, such as gestures and signs, or technology-assisted tools like augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.
These tools enable your child to express themselves in ways that don't rely on speech. AAC devices, for example, can range from simple picture boards to sophisticated tablets that help children construct sentences and convey their thoughts.
Our speech therapists work closely with your child to identify the most effective communication methods for them while encouraging their language development. Building a system that works for your child can reduce frustration and open up a world of new ways to interact with others.
Communication isn’t just about speaking — it’s about interacting with others. Speech therapy can help your child develop social communication skills, even if they don’t use words.
Our therapists teach skills like making eye contact, taking turns in conversation, and understanding nonverbal cues. These are all critical to helping your child engage with others and feel more connected in social situations.
Therapists also work on functional communication skills — things your child can use daily to meet their needs. This process includes using gestures or symbols to ask for food, indicate discomfort, or request help. These functional communication tools are critical for increasing your child’s independence and reducing the frustrations that can arise from being unable to communicate effectively.
In some cases, nonverbal children may face challenges with the motor skills required for speech. PediaPlex takes a collaborative approach, and our speech therapists can collaborate with occupational therapists to help children improve their oral motor abilities.
Strengthening the muscles used in speaking or helping your child manage sensory sensitivities can make a big difference in their communication.
In our multidisciplinary practice, speech therapy is often paired with ABA or occupational therapy to create a well-rounded treatment plan. ABA therapy can reinforce communication strategies using behavioral principles to encourage and reward effective communication. On the other hand, occupational therapy helps children develop the fine motor skills needed for tasks like using communication devices or even forming speech sounds.
Together, these therapies provide a comprehensive approach to helping your child communicate more clearly and confidently through words or other forms of expression.
Starting speech therapy can make a significant difference in your child’s progress. The brain is most adaptable at a young age, and early intervention can help your child build strong communication foundations that serve them for life.
The sooner your child begins working with a speech therapist, the sooner they can develop the tools needed to interact with the world around them.
If you’re interested in exploring how our team can help your non-verbal child communicate better, contact us today to set up a visit. We’re standing ready to work together to help your child communicate more effectively and improve their quality of life.
