Functional Communication Training For Parents Simplified

By Douglas Myers


Children communicate at a very basic level. They indicate in a raw format what they want and how they feel. Functional communication training for parents aims at helping them to understand what these children want or mean by the gestures, sounds and signals they give. This is extremely important considering that children cannot communicate articulately as adults would.

Development and good relationship between children and their parents at the earliest age depends on how well they can communicate. For parents whose children have delayed milestones caused by such conditions as autism or ADHD, functional communication becomes even more important.

Training of different ways to communicate goes both ways. It is not only the guardians or parents that should learn. Children also have the capability to learn when their potential is enhanced through special attention and a professional approach. The guardian or parent teaching a child how to communicate should exercise a lot of patience. These sessions are aimed at providing an alternative channel for the affected child to communicate. It eliminates the frustration that arises when communication is broken.

The best trainer is a speech-language pathologist. You should turn to the pathologist if your child is having difficulties communicating what he or she needs. The pathologist will evaluate his mode of communication and areas that have difficulties. It must be noted that children have very unique difficulties and needs. This also means that the solutions provided must be unique. The role of the pathologist is to first identify the real challenge which ushers him to the next solution.

Human beings use three main natural modes to communicate. They either gestures, use body language or words. Even if a challenge arises, it will affect one mode more than the others. The role of the pathologist is to identify the most developed channel and find ways to enhance it. He has to draw a hierarchy that will inform the steps to be taken in finding a solution. This means that each child will require a customized package.

Children mainly use body language and gestures to communicate. It is manifested as they point at what they want or move towards it. They will also cry or be agitated while pointing at or learning towards the objects they desire. In case of displeasure, he or she will resist and even attempt to run away. Other options include the use of sign language, picture exchange and customized voice output devices.

The parent or guardian needs to identify new words that will be taught to the child. Learning happens through continuous repetition. You need to combine all learning avenues like sound and gestures to make it easier to learn your desired words. Tempt the child to says or gesture the words by providing the objects in his or her surrounding.

The learning pace is slow for children with special needs and therefore requires a lot of patience. Experiment with different words since some are easy and others challenging to understand. Since each child is unique, you must appreciate this element. Do not frustrate a kid by forcing him or her to understand what is visibly difficult. It takes time to achieve desired results.




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