How to Communicate With a Non-Verbal Autistic Toddler

Communicating with toddlers can be frustrating as they learn how to express their needs. Autistic toddlers can take this frustration to a new level. Not only might they be nonverbal, they also may not see a need to learn how to communicate. You need to tap into their one interest -- getting their needs fulfilled -- in order to teach them how to communicate effectively. Because many nonverbal autistic toddlers will struggle to learn how to speak as adults, it is important to give them a communication system they can use instead, such as the pictorial communication system.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Colored pencils
• Scissors
• Glue
• Piece of cardboard (approximately 12 by 18 inches)

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Instructions

• 1

  Draw small pictures of objects or actions the child often wants. For example, you might draw a picture of a glass of juice, a mother giving a child a hug or a backyard.

• 2

  Glue the pictures onto a piece of cardboard.

• 3

  Model for the child how to use the pictures to communicate. When you think the child wants one of the objects or actions on the board, point to it as a way of communication. For example, point to the cup and say, "Do you want a drink? Here is the drink. Point to this when you want a drink."

• 4

  Help the child use the board by using a hand over hand method. Gently hold the child's hand and help her point to the picture that she wants.

• 5

  Respond with praise. For example, you might say, "Oh? You want a glass of juice? I would love to give you some. Thank you for pointing to the picture."

• 6

  Repeat this several times until the child uses the board for communication purposes.

• 7

  Encourage communication by delaying your response to the child's needs before he communicates them to you. For example, if you see that he wants a drink, say, "I see that you want something. Can you use the pictures to tell me what you want?"