Five Ways to Support Your Non-Vocal Child’s Voice

It can feel overwhelming when your child isn’t using words to communicate, and you might not know where to begin.  The good news is that communication is so much more than spoken language, and there are many ways you can support your child in building their voice and confidence.

Difference Between “Non-Vocal” and “Non-Verbal”

Before we jump into strategies, let’s cover the difference between “non-vocal” and “non-verbal”.  You may have heard these terms used interchangeably, but it’s important to know the difference between the two.  Everyone is verbal in some way.  Verbal behavior includes all types of communication – a toddler reaching out his arms toward you to be carried, or a baby crying because she’s hungry and needs a bottle.  Verbal behavior also includes sign language, pointing to an item to request it, and using a tablet to communicate using a picture symbol.  Describing someone as “non-verbal” is not accurate.  Everyone is verbal, even those who do not speak.  Since we are all verbal, many professionals prefer to use the term “non-vocal” or “minimally vocal” to describe children who are not yet speaking or using only a few words or sounds to communicate.

Most challenging behaviors are caused by a child not being able to communicate their wants and needs effectively.  Giving them strategies to better communicate these wants and needs to you can be just what the doctor ordered for a more harmonious household.  Here are five practical, everyday strategies you can start using right away.

1. Embrace Technology

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools give children a way to express themselves when vocal communication isn’t reliable.  These tools can be as simple as pictures and symbols (like a Picture Exchange Communication System, or PECS), or as advanced as speech-generating devices that “talk” when a button is pressed.  These tools can also be used in combination to maximize support.

Each of these options gives your child the power to make a choice to be understood.  And, using AAC doesn’t replace the possibility of speech – in fact, research shows it often supports language development by giving children a voice right away.  For example, at snack time, they can hand you a picture of “cracker” or press a button for “fruit snacks”.   With consistent modeling and practice, AAC can become a natural, reliable way for your child to share their needs, ideas, and feelings, which can reduce frustration and build confidence.  Consult with a professional Speech-Language Pathologist and/or Behavior Analyst to determine which type of AAC device best fits your child’s needs and allows room to grow as their communication progresses.  

2. Model Communication Everywhere

Children learn best by watching and experiencing communication in action.  This means you can be their model – showing them how to use words, gestures, signs, or AAC in natural ways throughout the day.  Think of it like narrating life for them and giving them examples they can copy when they’re ready.

Show your child how to use words, signs, or AAC throughout the day.  For example:

• While pushing them on a swing, say “go!” and tap the symbol “go” on their device
• During mealtime, say “water” while holding up a picture card or pressing the AAC button
• When making a sandwich, narrate what you’re doing: “jelly on bread, peanut butter on bread, bread together!”
• While getting ready for school, show them pictures of “get dressed,” “eat breakfast,” “brush teeth,” and “bus” before each step to build language into natural routines

The more your child sees communication modeled in real-life scenarios, the stronger the connection they make between the word, sign, or symbol and its meaning.  By embedding communication modeling into everyday moments, you’re giving your child numerous opportunities to see, hear, and practice language in natural and meaningful settings. 

3. Offer Choices Often

Giving children opportunities to make choices is a simple but powerful way to encourage communication.  When you offer options, you’re inviting your child to express their preferences and take an active role in daily decisions – regardless of them being non-vocal.  Offering choices also shows your child that their input matters, which can boost motivation to communicate.  It’s important to start with two clear options and gradually increase complexity as they get more comfortable.

Give your child options throughout the day.  For example:

• While getting dressed, ask your child “do you want the black socks or the green socks?”
• When playing together, you can ask “do you want to play Play-Doh or Magnatiles?”
• When eating a snack, you can ask “do you want apples or a cheese stick?”  

Holding up both choices visually encourages them to point, reach, or use a card/device.  Remember to pause and wait for your child to respond – don’t fill in the answer for them!  As your child becomes more comfortable making choices and indicating their preferences, you can increase the number of options you provide and the types of choices they make throughout their day.  By making choices a routine part of daily life, you’re creating countless natural opportunities for your child to practice expressing themselves.

4. Create Opportunities to Communicate

One of the most effective ways to help your child develop communication skills is to intentionally create moments where they need to communicate.  These opportunities encourage your child to practice expressing needs, wants, and ideas, and show them that communication has positive results.

Set up situations that encourage your child to ask for help or make a request by pointing, reaching, using a picture card, signing, or pressing a button on their AAC device.  For example:

• Put a favorite toy in a clear container so they have to sign “help” to get the toy out of the container
• When blowing bubbles, pause right before you blow the next bubble, then have them press a “bubbles” or “blow” button on their AAC device
• When playing a tickling game, pause in between each tickle episode, and have them hand you a picture card representing “tickle” to get more tickles

Here are a few tips to help encourage your child’s communication attempts:

• Create a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere for communication attempts; there is no need for pressure!
• Use favorite toys or activities that are highly motivating to your child
• Give your child a few seconds to respond – don’t rush to provide the item immediately
• Positively acknowledge and respond to their attempts, no matter how small
• Not every moment has to be a teaching moment or a communication opportunity – some wonderful things happen “for free” too!

These opportunities naturally motivate the child to initiate communication with others.  Creating a communication-rich environment is the key to your child witnessing the value of communication and gaining the confidence to express themselves across different situations.

5. Follow Their Lead & Expand On Their Efforts

One of the best strategies to encourage communication is to “start where your child is.”  Notice what your child is interested in, whether it’s spinning wheels, building with blocks, or dancing to music, and join in.  Narrate what’s happening and add simple words or symbols that match the activity.  For example:

• If your child points to a ball, you might say “Ball!  Red ball!”  This shows them how their attempts can grow into more complex communication over time.
• If your child is spinning in circles in a chair, you can say “Spin! So dizzy!”
• If your child is eating a cookie and asks for another cookie, you can press the buttons “more cookie” on their AAC device

Celebrate your child’s communication efforts – large and small.  If they try to say “book” or hand you a picture for it, respond right away.  By joining in with what they love and celebrating their communication attempts, you are not only creating opportunities for communication to flow naturally, but most importantly showing them that their interests matter.  By following your child’s lead and gently expanding on their efforts, you can turn everyday play and interaction into rich learning opportunities.

In Conclusion

Every child communicates in their own way and at their own pace, but this pace can be accelerated with the support of parents and professionals who aim to keep communication positive, rewarding, and motivating.  With steady encouragement and patience, you’ll see your child’s communication grow in ways that strengthen your bond and open doors to new opportunities.  Progress may be gradual, but each moment of connection is a step in the right direction!