Our Ellon ASN Group, supports children with additional support needs on Saturdays throughout the year and Wednesday, Thursday & Fridays during the holidays.
Susan Donachie, Senior Childcare Practitioner at the Group, visited Mrs Smith, a specialist in working with nonverbal children, to see if she could enhance her understanding and enhance the skills of the rest of our team as well as improving the experiences of nonverbal children in our care.
As we all know, communication extends beyond words through nonverbal cues like body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice.
For nonverbal children and young people, especially those with additional support needs, expression happens through various alternative methods that are equally valid and important.
Working closely with families and schools to understand these, and to implement appropriate communication systems is essential, here are some of Susan’s suggestions:
Working closely with families and schools to understand these, and to implement appropriate communication systems is essential, here are some of Susan’s suggestions:
- Electronic Communication Devices: “Talkers” and communication software on tablets provide robust communication options but can also be costly.
- Enhanced PEC Systems: Basic Picture Exchange Communication (PEC) cards can be helpful but are often insufficient. Including yes/no cards and a wider variety of options can enhance communication.
- Physical Choice-Making: Presenting actual items (snacks, toys, materials) allows children to make concrete choices rather.
Small adjustments to your learning environment can also improve communication opportunities:
- Visual Supports: Pair words with pictures on resources and learning materials to help children recognise and connect concepts.
- Team Photo Boards: Display photos of team members so children can indicate who they wish to communicate with.
- Visual Routine Boards: Create visual schedules showing what is happening each session. We can also use props when saying words so that there is a link to speech
- Family Photos in Play: Incorporate family photos into play activities to build vocabulary. For example, the child looks behind the doors of the toy and when they have found mummy you repeat mummy.
Creating an inclusive environment for non-verbal children isn’t just about accommodating differences—it’s about recognizing and celebrating diverse communication styles. By implementing these practical strategies, working with schools, educational professionals and families, we can ensure every child has a voice in our care settings, regardless of whether that voice uses words.
