Extra help for early communication
Visual support
A visual can be a photograph, a picture, or a symbol used to represent an activity or event. It is much better than using words alone. Once a word has been said, it’s gone! With a visual support, the message is much more permanent.
Visual Timetable
A Visual Timetable is a visual representation of the sequence of activities. It is a strip of photographs, pictures or symbols that outline a routine.
Visual Timetable.docx [docx] 388KB
Objects of reference
Objects of reference are objects used to represent an activity or event.
- An object of reference gives the child ‘a clue’ about what is about to happen.
- Over time the child learns that the object stands for that person, activity or event.
For more information please see the video produced by Norfolk & Waveney Children and Young People Health Services.
Developing early interaction
Supporting and developing early interaction
From birth children learn that they can send intentionally send messages without words. This can be through sounds, actions, eye gaze, and facial expressions.
When an adult responds to a child’s message, an interaction has started. These interactions are the foundation for communication.
Intensive interaction
Intensive interaction was developed to meet the learning needs of people who are still at early stages of communication, cognitive and social development. The approach can also be used with people who have some speech and language ability but who have not yet grasped the very fundamentals of communication that a typically developing child learns in the first year of life.
For more information please see video produced by NHS Ayrshire & Arran:
Joining in with your child
Some children prefer to play alone and do not always join in with others. They may like to do the same thing again and again. Sometimes they may focus more on objects rather than people so it can be hard for you to join in with them. The most helpful thing to try joining in with what your child is interested in.
Joining in with your child.pdf [pdf] 468KB
People Games
Children engage in people games from an early age and they play an important role in the development of interaction skills, communication and learning.
People games are simple, repetitive activities that do not need toys. They involve you and your child enjoying a fun and playful interaction. These games can include tickling, chasing games and peek-a-boo. People games are repetitive and predictable and can be used to help your child to develop their early interaction and communication skills.
Gestalt Language Processing
Gestalt Language Processing is a form of language development that starts with memorising whole phrases or sentences. Gestalt language learners begin by using ‘chunks’ or ‘scripts’ of language they have heard, rather than starting with single words and building those up to phrases and then sentences to communicate.