Communication: the big goal - May 25, 2014

I want to stress the importance of establishing a communication system.

Children want to initiate activities, actions, and be able to ask for the things they want. If we don't provide them with a way to ask, they become frustrated little beings. They are unable to control their world, unable to get what they want, and unable to express anything. Except frustration.

The number one goal for any practitioner working with children (in general) should be to establish a communication system. It doesn't need to be complicated.

Maybe you'll teach signs. The big advantage is that are that they are portable. The big drawback is if you have to modify the signs from ASL, a novel communication partner won't understand. Maybe you'll teach vocals. You could accept approximations for the time being, and keep shaping. Or, maybe you'll work on teaching PECS. Which can be cumbersome, and difficult to get going. But they are a nice "easy" system for the child.

Whatever system you choose, customize it to your child. Ensure that your child can be successful from the get-go. So if your child does not have great fine motor control, see if you can use PECS - maybe you'll need to have big pictures to help them. If your child can vocalize some, maybe you'll just use PECS to augment their vocals.

The point is, whatever the system, whatever the method, whoever you get help from - establish a communication system!

Too many children become teenagers and young adults without communication systems. Language learning is most optimal when a child is young. However, I've taught PECS->Sign->Vocals for a teenagers who was 11! So, whatever the age - whatever the system - teach them to communicate!

/rant.