15: Communicating w/ a Nonverbal Child

The Rare Life

Ever feel totally overwhelmed communicating with a non-verbal child? Parents Candace and Shawn have been there. In this special topic episode, they share things they’ve learned along their 8-year journey with their son Miller.

This episode has lessons to be learned from for parents of every kind, but especially those that long to improve their communication with children for whom spoken language just isn’t an option.

Their advice can be summed up in 3 aspects:

1. Be creative.

2. Be flexible.

3. Be persistent

Etsy PECS communication systems:

General PECS etsy page: https://www.etsy.com/search?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pecs+cards&ref=return_to_search&organic_search_click=1&explicit=1&q=pecs+cards

Printable version ($5):

https://www.etsy.com/listing/591467629/picture-communication-pecs-cards-for?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pecs&ref=sr_gallery-1-4&organic_search_click=1

Portable device ($17+):https://www.etsy.com/listing/766745671/aac-portable-device-waterproof?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pecs&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1

For pictures, comments, and the full transcript, visit the website: https://therarelifepodcast.com/show-notes/ep-15-communicating-w-nonverbal-child

TRANSCRIPT:

Candace 0:00
"No one thing has been the ideal form of communication for him. So he uses several forms of communication which is intense as a parent."

Madeline Cheney 0:13
Hi, I'm Madeline Cheney and you are listening to Episode 15 of The Rare Life. Today I have a special topic episode from Candace and Shawn. They shared all about their son Miller with Angelman syndrome last week in Episode 13. As we talked about in that episode, their number one challenge with Miller is his non verbal ism. So today they have chosen to share things that they have learned in trying to communicate with him. They sum it up in three aspects: be creative, be flexible, and be persistent. And they have some really great insight. So whether you have a child that is nonverbal, you know a child that is nonverbal, or you're curious about what it is like, join us. Let's dive in.

Welcome back, Candace and Shawn.

Candace 1:06
Hello!

Madeline Cheney 1:08
Today for our special topic, we're talking about communicating with a nonverbal child and things that you have learned in your journey with Miller thus far. And so, what kind of tip or advice would you like to give to parents that may be also in that similar situation with a nonverbal child?