3.1 Supporting Communication Development

Children with autism may communicate in various ways, including verbal, nonverbal, and through assistive technology. It’s important to recognize that when a child has communication deficits, their behavior can be significantly affected. While vocal communication is the most common form, it is not the only method available. Nonverbal communication can include systems such as Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), sign language, sentence strips, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), or even simple gestures and pointing to express needs.

As a parent, you can foster an environment that encourages communication by:

1. Following your clinician’s guidance regarding how your child best communicates.
2. Allowing your child to communicate rather than doing it for them.
3. Recognizing that communication requires repetition, patience, and consistency.
4. Reinforcing efforts with verbal praise or other incentives that are meaningful to your child, as this can encourage further communication.

Screaming at your children teaches them to:

• Scream back at you

• Learn nothing • Believe that anger equals results • Scream at others • Develop inappropriate social skills

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