Let’s Build Language

For some children, language comes easy. They start mimicking you and everyone else around them. But this does not come naturally for many babies or even toddlers. They key is to start early, and when I say early I mean day one early. One thing I encourage parents to do is label everything that they do with their baby/toddler. The more they hear the word and see what goes with that word, the more likely they are to use that word. Even if you are trying to teach language to an older individual, the same concept applies.

For new babies, everytime you give them a bottle , say “bottle”. When you or they grab a toy, name that toy (over and over). When you clap, say “clap”. Label it all. As they start following you around the house, let them know what you are doing, (Mommy is getting a cup, water goes in cup, see here is the water, here is the cup, etc.). You cannot overdo it! Once they get to where they can start making sounds and possibly words or word approximations, start these steps!

1. Create opportunities

   • Give your child a reason to use language. Put a toy or snack out of reach so that the opportunity to ask is there. Model saying it if needed. If they can only say the sound of the word, that is great, reward them with it! Give them a coloring book without crayons and have them ask for the crayons.

   • You can gradually increase the difficulty of language by starting with one word (toy) to a full sentence (I want the toy).

2. Reward the language used

   • Rewards do not have to be snacks or treats. Infact, it is better to use praise, high fives, smiles, and reciprocal conversation. For one, your baby loves seeing that you are pleased and proud of them. Secondly, its real life! So many children expect a treat every time they engage in a behavior we want. That is just not real life.

3. Incorporate play

   • Children learn by play, and there are endless opportunities in play! Build a tower together. Have them ask for each block, the color, how many, their turn, etc., and then crash it together!

4. Generalize and build

   • Take their new language abilities everywhere and build on them. When they are at the park, have them tell you they want to go to the swing. Have them sequence what they want to do (first swing, then slide). Do this on playdates, visits with grandparents, the store, etc.

While this sounds easy, it can be really tough for children with ASD and other disabilities, which also makes it tough for the parents. Hang in there! Repetition and a lot of practice is key. Be happy in each success. Your child may not ever gain all the language abilities you want them to get. This is when you need to modify your expectations and take joy in what they can do. Never give up, but don’t beat yourself up. You got this!

So how can ABA or speech help?

Whether it is a speech are behavioral issue, we use techniques to assist with teaching language and speech patterns to improve communication skills. We also incorporate parent training so that parents can do the same procedures in the home. We also work in the community so that language is not limited to the clinic. We practice in a variety of settings making it more natural.