Question
My son is 4 yrs 10 mos. He has been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (mild autism). He tries so hard to be understood and to tell me things. On the flip side, sometimes I'm not sure how much he is really comprehendin
Answer
There are so many wonderful ways that you can enhance your son's language skills. Here are just a few suggestions. Be creative and know that every opportunity is a learning opportunity - you just have to get your mind thinking that way. But here we go...For his receptive language, you can have him point to pictures in books as you name the objects, and sing songs that include body and/or hand movements (Itsy Bitsy Spider, If You're Happy and you Know It, etc.). Make sure you help him perform the hand movements with him as you sing.
There are many books that have objects with them and that may be a good way to increase his understanding by either having him point to the object or give it to you when you identify it when reading. Let every place you go be a place to learn language. For example, point to vocabulary in the grocery store, mall, others' houses while saying the name of the vocabulary and as he gets better have him find and point to what you call out/name. When in the car play "I Spy" games looking at all the cars, objects and colors that you see. Sing about colors, objects and make up funny sounds that are easy for both you and him to remember. Make it fun and he will also enjoy it.
For expressive language, sing songs that include repetitive lines (ex. Old MacDonald, 10 Little Monkeys) and encourage him to finish part of the lines of the songs. Now for producing good speech sounds, start off with having him imitate sounds (ex. "b," "p," "d") and you can do this when blowing bubbles and emphasize the first sounds of the words "b-b-b-bubbles" and "p-p-p-pop". Make sure that he is able to see your mouth exaggerating the sounds. Also, allow for enough time for him to respond...don't present so much that he has no opportunity to respond to your models because you are off to the next thing and/or going too fast. Also repetition is key. Make sure that you are consistent with activities. Labeling objects with their names in the house is also good.
Also pointing and producing basic sign language (ex. more, please, finished/all done) can also be very helpful to allow your child to have good levels of success when communicating. If he is feeling overwhelmed by two many options or if no options are presented at all (when choosing foods/snacks, games and/or activities), present him with 2 choices (pictures or objects) and have him point to what he wants or take what he wants. That way he is able to have some control of his decisions and environment. And when he is finished with activities, foods, etc., have him tell you this by signing 'all done'. Make sure you also try to increase his eye contact during activities. Remember to not make activities too long. I hope these suggestions will help get you started. Happy Brainstorming, make learning fun and remember repetition is key!
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Dawnyale Foster, MS, CCC-SLP is a Speech Language Pathologist in the Tampa Bay area. After working 6 years in the public school system, Ms. Foster started servicing students and adults as a private contractor. For the past two years, Ms. Foster has provided speech-language services through her own company, Fostering Communication and also as an independent contractor with a local home health company as well as with Easter Seals. She also is a Speech-Language Pathology Party Representative with Super Duper Publications.
