Family: Communicating with your child who doesn't use words to talk

Communicating with your child who doesn't use words to talk

Written by Lisa Simmons

We all know people who can speak volumes without ever opening their mouths. They use their hands, their body language, their facial expressions. Experts tell us that when we talk with each other, only 7% of our message is communicated by repparttar

actual words we speak. Now that we know that communication is not really about words -- it may be a little easier to look beyond words when we communicate with our kids who don't use words to "talk". Our tips today are divided into 2 groups -- #1) communicating their basic needs & repparttar 111658

stuff in their environment & #2) sharing their ideas, feelings, & comments on life. So where do we start. Our words of wisdom:

#1 - Needs & Stuff

1. Start with yes & no - By starting with yes & no you give your child repparttar 111659 ability to answer two very important questions: „X Are you (tired, hungry, thirsty, etc)? „X Do you want (a snack, your red shirt, to go to repparttar 111660 park)? Another advantage of starting with yes/no is that it can be done in a variety of ways from repparttar 111661 standard head nod to virtually any combination of motor responses. For example, twitching repparttar 111662 left hand can mean yes & a head jerk can mean no. The key is to find something your child has good control of & to use repparttar 111663 system consistently.

2. Choice making - The next logical step from yes/no is usually a point response. This allows you to offer your child a wider range of options. Instead of doing repparttar 111664 time consuming one at a time choice you can offer your child a 2-3 choices at a time. If a point response doesn't work this can also be managed using head movements to repparttar 111665 right, left, & center. Just be sure your child understands repparttar 111666 choices & which item he/she is picking!

3. Word Labels - If your child is mobile & has a fairly large vocabulary (or if you want to encourage more vocabulary) word labels may be a good choice for your family. Labeling involves typing repparttar 111667 names of frequently used objects in a large type size, laminating repparttar 111668 sign & attaching it with velcro to repparttar 111669 actual item. When your child wants repparttar 111670 item they simply pull off repparttar 111671 label & bring it to you. This works really well if you start with your child's favorite items. In addition to exposing your child regularly to written words this also encourages your child to initiate requests rather than wait on someone else to offer them something.

4. Touch Screens - Touch screens are a wonderful invention! They allow your child to experience repparttar 111672 awesome sensation of being in control -- making things happen! In addition to this experience with cause & effect they encourage kids to get comfortable with repparttar 111673 computer. Down repparttar 111674 road that comfort & familiarity will go a long way towards helping them adjust to more complicated assistive technology devices.

5. Request/schedule boards - Request boards are simply photographs or black & white drawings of objects & activities that your child enjoys or needs often. They can be easilly updated as your child's favorites change & work well velcroed to wheelchair trays for kids who spend lots of time seated in a wheelchair. Even repparttar 111675 pictures can be velcroed on if you have a really "changeable" child. This allows repparttar 111676 child to select which pictures they want on their board at repparttar 111677 beginning of repparttar 111678 day. Picture boards also work well for school or family schedules & can help kids who stress about change know what's coming up next.

6. Show me - Perhaps repparttar 111679 simpliest communication strategy is repparttar 111680 simple "Show me what you need" response. This can be a real frustration reliever when your child just can't get repparttar 111681 words out or make their body cooperate. The only drawback to this strategy is that kids rapidly become "sleeve tuggers" if you use this method regularly. A good way to prevent this is to build in step 2 right from repparttar 111682 beginning. Once your child shows you repparttar 111683 desired item, respond with "Oh you wanted your teddy bear! Great! Now, let's add a picture of teddy to your board so that you can show me repparttar 111684 picture next time!"

All My Love And Devotion: A True Story

Written by Ellen M. DuBois

They met at a dance in 1931, and six months later, on January 30, 1932, were married. I am speaking of my Nana and Pop, (grandparents), who for sixty years were not just married, but were in love. Really IN LOVE.

I have chronicled their love through some very touching cards, (I found them in a box, tucked away with a lifetime of memories), that were shared between them before and after my father was born. Most are from my Grandfather to my Grandmother. He drove and worked and she was home so his ability to buy cards for her was greater.

Five years into their marriage they had a son. Their love was as strong as ever...growing stronger with each passing day, month and year as you will see.

I was witness to their special love for thirty years of my life, and for four more after repparttar passing of my "Pop" as I watched my Nana's heart slowly die of emptiness. She was literally, without her other half. If you believe in soul mates, they were soul mates in repparttar 111657 truest sense.

I don't have every sentiment ever expressed between repparttar 111658 two of them, (those are theirs alone), but was lucky enough to find a box of perfectly kept cards, beginning in repparttar 111659 year 1932.

1932: A Valentine To My Wife "I chose this loving Valentine especially for you, Because it's meant for Someone Who means more than others do; and it simply says, "I Love You", but within that little phrase, is a message that will tell you That I'll care for you Always!" Signed: To repparttar 111660 loveliest girl in repparttar 111661 world- And loveliest Valentine Always- Love and Devotion, Hubby Atomic Equation XXXXXX XXXX = XXXXXXXX= million

1935: To My Darling Sweetheart On Your Christmas Birthday A Birthday Message To My Wife "There's so much that's dear about you, There's so much that's sweet and fine, And so many special reasons- That I'm proud and glad you're mine -- It's no wonder that I love you so- And specially want to say - That I'm wishing happiness for you- With all my heart today." Signed: To repparttar 111662 dearest wife in repparttar 111663 world. A few Birthdays have gone. I wish from my heart that we will spend a hundred more together. From Hubby

1947: With Love to My Wife on our Anniversary, You're Very Dear to Me "I never knew what love could mean- Till repparttar 111664 day that I met you- I never knew that life could hold-A happiness so true- And on this day that's ours alone- From all other days apart- I send my very deepest love- To you, my own Sweetheart" Signed: This message expresses Everything. With all my Love and Devotion, Al.

1948: Mother's Day, To repparttar 111665 greatest Mother in repparttar 111666 World To My Wife and Sweetheart For Mother's Day "Perhaps you think that I don't know repparttar 111667 countless things you do- To make our home repparttar 111668 happy home I proudly share with you. But, believe me, Dear, I love you- As a Sweetheart and a Wife, And on Mother's Day I'm wishing you- The deepest joys in life!" Signed: With all my Love and Devotion, For repparttar 111669 Loveliest Mother and Wife in repparttar 111670 World. - Hubby 1932 to 1954: (22 years married) An Anniversary Greeting for repparttar 111671 Dearest Wife in repparttar 111672 World "I cherish our Anniversary, Dear, Much more than you could guess...It stands for repparttar 111673 day that brought me YOU And all my happiness! I treasure every memory, Dear, Still more as time goes by, And look to repparttar 111674 happy future That we'll share, Dear, you and I!" Signed: I just think it's wonderful. They have been all so lovely. With all my Love and Devotion, To my Sweetheart and Wife. Al.

1954: For My Wonderful Wife On Mother's Day "Your love is a precious thing to me, A comfort in times of stress, The reason for all I ever do, My pride- and my happiness...And, Darling, on Mother's Day this year I feel as I always do: The sweetest gift that a man could know Is a wonderful Wife like you." Signed: The greatest of them all. With my Love and Devotion. A million kisses. Hubby

1954: To My Husband on our 22nd Anniversary To My Husband on Our Anniversary "This Anniversary, Darling, Is especially dear to me, It stands for precious memories- And for happy years to be...It proves that love like ours Just deepens year by year, It makes me realize even more How much I love you, Dear!" Signed: With all My Love and Kisses. I only hope we spend many more Happy Anniversary's together. Hon

1965: To My Loving Wife From Hubby, To Mom On Easter Sunday Easter Greetings to my Wife "You are repparttar 111675 Keeper of My Heart." "You are repparttar 111676 keeper of my heart-- If all my dreams came true You are repparttar 111677 one-- and you alone -- That I would bring them to; So may this Easter greeting, Dear, One thought alone impart -- You are, and you will always be- The keeper of my heart." Signed: With all my Love and Devotion, With all Easter Wishes, Hubby (Over) "Do you want a hammer and a peg? Or do you want an Easter Egg? Or do you want repparttar 111678 sky to be blue or gray? So you and me can be so gay. On this Easter Day, O' mom, even if sky is not blue, I will always, forever and ever, love you!" Sonny (my father)

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