Communication isn't always in the form of speech or sign. As a matter of fact, those are very symbolic forms of communication and develop after other forms of communication have developed.
Communication is a vast topic, so we've put together some places for you to check out the various ways you can communicate with your child. For "beginning" communication, we mean just that: it's the presymbolic types of communication the child will use in order to communicate.
For "alternative", we mean other forms of communication than speech or sign. Alternative forms of communication can also be on the symbolic level: tangible symbol systems, picture cards, use of eye gaze, assistive technology, etc.
"Your baby loves to hear your voice, so talk, babble, sing, and coo away during these first few months. Respond enthusiastically to your baby's sounds and smiles. Tell your baby what he or she is looking at or doing and what you are doing. Name familiar objects as you touch them or bring them to your baby. Read to your baby; Even even at this tender age, it will help in the development of his or her growing brain. By listening to you, your baby will learn the importance of speech before he or she even understands or repeats any words.
Take special advantage of your baby's own "talking" to have a "conversation." If you hear your baby make a sound, repeat it and wait for him or her to make another. You are teaching your baby valuable lessons about tone, pacing, and taking turns when talking to someone else. You are also sending your baby the message that he or she is important enough to listen to. Don't interrupt or look away when your baby's "talking" - show your babty that you are interested and that he or she can trust you." ...Link
"Tangible Symbol Systems™ were designed for people who are unable to understand the meaning of the abstract symbols used in formal language systems.
Most people communicate through spoken and written words. Some people use alternative systems such as sign language, Braille or high-tech electronic devices. These systems all require an understanding of an abstract symbol system consisting of arbitrary sounds or characters.
Many people are unable to use these more familiar and abstract avenues of communication. Tangible Symbol Systems™ is a method of communication that uses concrete, rather than abstract symbols." ....Link
" Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) refers to ways (other than speech) that are used to send a message from one person to another. We all use augmentative communication techniques, such as facial expressions, gestures, and writing, as part of our daily lives. In difficult listening situations (noisy rooms, for example), we tend to augment our words with even more gestures and exaggerated facial expressions.
People with severe speech or language problems must rely quite heavily on these standard techniques as well as on special augmentative techniques that have been specifically developed for them. Some of these techniques involve the use of specialized gestures, sign language, or Morse code. Other techniques use communication aids, such as charts, bracelets and language boards. On aids such as these, objects may be represented by pictures, drawings, letters, words, sentences, special symbols, or any combination thereof." ...Link
Spoken Communication | Signed Communication | Other
