For children with speech and language delays, using visual supports like sign language, natural gestures, photographs, and digital pictures is incredibly empowering and educational in teaching comprehension and verbal expression. Imagine the frustration of a hungry toddler, unable to speak his needs, without any way to express his snack preferences. Having a visual support handy does not take the place of teaching your child speech skills. Rather, visuals enhance a child’s comprehension; help you identify the intended word to support your child in practicing saying it accurately; and reduce frustrations and negative behaviors. There are several ways that you can provide visual supports.
Using Sign Language For Visual Supports
Nowadays, it is very much in fashion to use sign language with young toddlers. Bookstores, libraries, apps, and mommy groups offer sign language resources for learning with ease and convenience. My favorite resources are produced by Signing Time. This company offers DVDs teaching sign language for babies and toddlers, featuring infant and toddler models. They’re highly recommended by many. The greatest thing about using sign language for communication is that unlike pictures, you always have your hands with you. Below are the top three reasons why caregivers and speech pathologists alike are using sign language.
- It significantly reduces frustrations for both toddlers and caregivers. Toddlers often understand more words than they can express, demonstrating a larger receptive vocabulary compared to their expressive vocabulary. Your child knows what he wants to say, but he cannot get those words out just yet. Signing a word requires less effort and fewer steps than verbally producing the same word, making communication more efficient.
- Teaching sign language supports speech development. Now that you have reduced those frustrating moments, there are naturally many more teachable opportunities in your day. For example, your child signs “milk” and you repeat the word “milk” a few times as you prepare the Nuby cup.
- It supports receptive (comprehension) development. Children need to understand the meanings for words to bank those words into their spoken word repertoire. They may not say “milk,” but using the sign for it, they request it, reinforcing its meaning as they enjoy it.
Natural Gestures
In addition to sign language, you can use natural gestures with your child to help elaborate on communication. You are probably already doing many of these naturally (hence the term natural gestures.) Common examples seen with children between 9-21 months old are:
- Waving hello and goodbye
- Holding out your arm to show someone an object in your hand
- Pointing to objects to express wants
- Shaking your head to say “no” and nodding to say “yes”
- Taking your hand and bringing you to a desired object
- Making a movement to request an action (i.e., jumping to request trampoline play)
- Giving a “hi-five”
Photographs: Dynamic Visual Supports
For some children, planning out a motor sequence to maneuver their hands to show a sign is incredibly difficult. I use sign language to enhance comprehension but rely on photos and digital images for effective communication of wants and needs. Photos of favorite items in a mini book or magnetic cases are handy. There are several goals in using these pictures:
- Photographs narrow down the options and help you quickly understand your child’s wants. For example, if your child can make the first sound in a word, he may say, “guh” for granola, grapes, and gummies. If you have a photograph for each, he can continue to say “guh” and point to or look at the picture of the object he desires.
- The natural progression in language development begins with comprehending names for objects. Children first learn that a three-dimensional object is called a “ball”. Using photos helps children understand objects. Show a picture of a ball to teach its representation. It enhances communication and comprehension.
- Storing food and toy pictures in specific areas teaches categorization skills, aiding your child’s vocabulary development. We use this strategy to store new information and broaden both use and understanding for vocabulary words. Compiling food pictures in the kitchen and toy images in the family room teaches your child organization based on category.
Digitally Created Visual Supports
As your child becomes familiar with actual photographs of objects, you can transition to digitally produced pictures. These images are the creation of a digitally encoded representation of the visual characteristics of an object, such as an image of a ball that is not a photograph. Consult with your child’s speech pathologist to create a picture vocabulary, especially if your child has limited verbal skills or needs long-term support. If digital visuals are needed, then consider purchasing an iPad app. Custom Boards by Smarty Ears apps is well worth every penny!
In conclusion, integrating visual supports into your child’s learning journey can be transformative, offering a bridge between comprehension and expression. By utilizing sign language, gestures, and visual aids, you’re not only helping your child navigate communication challenges but also fostering a supportive environment where their needs are understood and met. Embrace the power of visuals as a tool to unlock your child’s potential and enhance their speech and language development journey.
Nanette Cote is an ASHA certified speech pathologist, published author, and private practice business owner with 30 years experience.
