Need Help with Non-verbal Son

[Amber_K]

My son Zack is nonverbal. He made sounds when he was a baby and I thought he was trying to talk like the other kids his age. He never started talking and now, at age three he still doesn't talk. What do we do? Will he ever talk? Why do they want him to learn sign language when he's not deaf? I don't know what else to do. We live in NY and are thinking we might move to find a better place to raise a child with needs this severe.

Jackie Gringham

[Amber_K]

Hello Jackie,

My son was nonverbal for many years and I'm happy to report he now talks (a lot!), has conversations and has even begun using social communication 'rules', so know there is hope for starters.To help nonverbal children communicate you have a few options and I suggest starting with the most fundamental aspect of speech: making sound and understanding there is a purpose for doing so...


If you haven't already, I would recommend providing your son with as many voice-activiated devices as possible (many stores sell cool lights that are voice activated, so save money and avoid therapy catalogs). The premise here is simple: when you make sounds there is a consequence. In this situation little more than that is established but it's critical to lay this fundamental understanding.

Work with what you've got: if you're son makes the 'mmmmm' sound or the 'babababa' sound then you drag that out by having him repeat it, alter the end of the sound, the rhythm of the sound; whatever he'll respond to. Then praise and reward him for his efforts (uncontrollable, over the top praise).

The reason people want to teach your son sign language is two fold - it's one way to give your child communication skills and, since it's gestural (instead of verbal) it is assumed children with disabilities can learn it easier (gross understatement but it works).

The problem with this is that sign language is a language; gestural being irrelevant and children who have difficulty with communication will likely struggle to learn any language, including sign language. They can, however, use bits and peices (sign for cup, bathroom, help, more, etc.) to faciliate communication without mastering the entire language.

Picture symbols, communication boards and cards are also commonly used as alternate communication methods, so consider those as well.

I'd also recommend ruling out any physiological issues through an audiologist just to be on the safe side.

Contact your child's team and set goals that require your team to work harder, more efficiently and more effectively - you don't have to do this alone.

[helpingcommunicate.co.uk]

Dear Jackie,

Will your son ever talk? I wish I could say "Of course he will" but I do not think anyone can give you that answer yet.

Why do they want him to learn sign language? Well... unfortunately there are many professionals who have a "one fits all" approach. Just because sign language (or any other augmentative communication system) might help some students, they try to implement this system to all children without considering their individual needs and therefore very unsuccesfully.

It is crucial to determine which is the best communication approach for your child and the sooner you do it the better. You might find that once he is able to communicate using the most appropriate means for communication for him, he might start to develop speech as well.

Please, have a look at my website. I hope you will find it useful http://www.helpingcommunicate.co.uk