How to Use Positive Language With Kids With Autism

Using positive language with a child who has autism involves more than giving praise. Effective communication includes giving a child the support she needs to feel competent and independent, according to the North American Montessori Center website. For example, improving a child̵7;s social interactions can help expand her verbal communication skills. A child with autism spectrum disorder also tends to focus on details and therefore has difficulty seeing the overall big picture. Consequently, your child may have trouble putting together all the separate bits of information she receives.

Instructions

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      Get your child̵7;s attention before speaking. Kids with autism don̵7;t always understand what it is you are saying. It̵7;s not because they aren̵7;t listening, points out Ellen Notbohm, author of ̶0;Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew,̶1; reprinted on the Autism Speaks website. The bestselling author suggests telling a child what to do and then describing what is going to happen next to help her understand what it is you want.

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      Talk quietly and in a loving manner. Loud talking can overwhelm a child who has sensory problems. Speak slowly and plainly so that your child isn̵7;t confused about what you want. Kids with autism spectrum disorder become less distracted and generally do better in a calm and predictable environment.

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      Recognize that children with autism take what you say literally. It̵7;s not enough simply to tell your child something; you need to paint a visual picture so that she can picture in her mind what it is you are communicating. Avoid generalizing when you speak or using abstract concepts, as kids with autism tend to be concrete thinkers. Your child also may not understand that some words have multiple meanings and the meaning depends on the use.

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      Rely on methods other than words to communicate with your child. Support aids such as picture schedules help children with autism make better sense of instructions, notes an article published on the Johns Hopkins University website. Providing your child with visual clues allows her to express her thoughts and can help her understand abstract ideas. Some children are more responsive if you use real pictures instead of drawings. In addition to picture clues, you can help reduce your child's anxiety over a situation by verbally reminding her of what to expect next in the day's activities.

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      Keep your sentences short and simple. Using fewer words can help your child focus. The National Association for the Education of Young Children website recommends using the same words and phrases. Your child is more likely to respond to words she knows. If she has difficulty with knowing what words mean, point to the objects as you speak. Name the objects aloud as you point to them.

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      Give your child time to process what you say. It often takes children with autism longer to respond because they need more time to make sense of what they hear. If they take in information through more than one of their senses, it can take them even longer to process it. Children with autism also have trouble shifting their attention or keeping their attention focused on one thing for long. They don't always hear what they are supposed to if they can't concentrate long enough to get all the information.

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      Acknowledge when your child responds in an appropriate manner to what you say. Aside from letting her know verbally that you noticed her behavior, take the interaction a step further and smile or give her a hug to communicate how pleased you are. Since some children with autism demonstrate inappropriate behavior when they are trying to communicate, it's important to reward positive behavior so that it's more likely to occur again.

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