Maurvik

Essential Communication Skills for Non-Verbal Students

🗣️ Communication Skills

Why is this important?

Communication is the foundation of all learning and interaction. For a non-verbal student, building communication skills:

  • Reduces frustration
  • Encourages independence
  • Helps form relationships
  • Gives them control over their environment

💡 How: Use AAC Tools

✅ 1. Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Use When: The student is starting to learn how to make basic requests (e.g., food, toys, help).
How it works:

  • The student hands over a picture of a desired item to you.
  • You immediately give the item in return.
  • Gradually teach them to use multiple pictures, sentence strips (“I want + [picture]”), and eventually answer questions or comment.

Example Activity:

  • Show the student pictures of a biscuit and a banana.
  • Ask “What do you want?”
  • Student gives you the banana picture → you give the banana.

✅ 2. Communication Boards or Books

Use When: The student can look at or point to symbols, or use eye gaze.
How it works:

  • Boards display pictures or symbols representing words or needs (e.g., toilet, help, more, music).
  • The student points, looks at, or touches the right picture to communicate.

Example Activity:

  • During a music session, the student can choose “sing,” “drums,” or “stop” by pointing to a symbol on the board.

✅ 3. AAC Apps (e.g., Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, LAMP)

Use When: The student can interact with a tablet or touch screen.
How it works:

  • The app has pictures with voice output (“I want water”).
  • The student taps the image → the app speaks the word or sentence.
  • These can be highly personalized based on the student’s needs and level.

Example Activity:

  • The student taps “I feel” + “happy” to express emotions during a feelings activity.

✅ 4. Eye-Gaze Boards

Use When: The student cannot use hands but has good eye control.
How it works:

  • A board with pictures is placed at eye level.
  • You or a camera tracks which picture the student looks at.
  • You respond based on their eye choice.

Example Activity:

  • Present four pictures: juice, break, music, help.
  • Student gazes at “music” → you play music.

🧩 Activities to Build Communication Skills

🎲 Choice-Making Games

  • Let the student choose between two preferred objects, snacks, or songs using pictures.
  • Reinforces the idea: “My choices matter”

👋 Gesture-Based Responses

  • Teach basic gestures like:
    • Thumbs up/down
    • Hand-over-hand signs (e.g., more, stop)
    • Nodding, pointing, clapping

🔍 Matching Games

  • Match object to picture: show a toy car and several picture cards → student finds the matching car picture.

🎨 Communication During Art or Play

  • Use symbols to choose colors, tools, or shapes.
  • Encourage requesting help or more paint using cards or buttons.

🎧 Sound Buttons for Engagement

  • Use Big Mack buttons or Step-by-Step Switches that say things like:
    • “I want more!”
    • “Let’s sing!”
    • “All done.”

🎯 Tips for Supporting Communication

  • Always model how to use the tool before expecting the student to use it.
  • Wait patiently – give processing time for them to respond.
  • Use consistent pictures – don’t change symbols too often.
  • Celebrate every communication attempt – even eye movement or reaching counts!