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AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

COMMUNICATION FUNDAMENTALS

  • Communication is an essential ingredient in building a bond between a parent and a child


  • This bond serves as the foundation for all future learning and interaction on the child’s part

There are several ways a child can communicate

  • Gestural 
  • Vocalization / Words
  • Sign Language
  • Using objects
  • Using pictures or photos
  • Written communication
  • Using assistive device/ technology

Joint Attention

  • A shared focus between the child, caregiver, and an object or event is known as joint attention. 

Initiating and Reciprocating Joint Attention

  • The child may respond to another’s bid for joint attention (see image 1)  or initiate joint attention  (see image 2) 


  • Fundamental behaviors of joint attention are eye contact with a person or object, gaze shifting between a social partner and an object, pointing and gestures. 

Imitation

  • Imitation is the child's ability to copy others. It begins at around 3 months of age when the child responds to the caregiver with a social smile and advances alongside the child’s development


  • When you are face to face with the infant, imitate them by repeating their sounds and faces


  • As the child develops, make funny faces, use actions, clap, sing, etc and observe the child's attempt to imitate. 


  • Engage toddlers in daily chores. They love to imitate, help out and show off about how much they can do. 


  •  Imitate sequences and have fun!

Parallel Talk

  • Follow the child’s lead and act like a commentator by  describing what the child is doing or seeing. 


  • Make sure to use language, voice variations, gestures, facial expressions and body language that you would use in a natural conversation with the child


  • Do not expect any response from the child. 


  • Remember to comment and not question!

Self Talk

  • Describe your own actions in simple language and exaggerated intonation without expecting the child to respond


  • The child does not have to be close to you while you are talking out loud, but they should be at an audible distance to come and look at you if they are interested


  • Respond to the child if they try to communicate with you

Functional Communication

  • Functional communication includes communication acts to request, reject, comment, greet, express feelings, provide information, etc 


  • Functional vocabulary should include words that are useful for the child at home as well as in other communication situations 


  • Functional communication may be verbal (e.g. I want, yes, no, more) and/ or non verbal (e.g. head nod, wave, actions, gestures, signs, pictures)

Alternative Communication

  • For some children with with communication difficulties, the non verbal mode of communication could be an alternative and viable mode


  • Non-verbal communication can take different forms: Using picture exchange, communication boards, photo album, communication symbols, notebooks, using gestures and writing. 

Communication fundamentals prepared by Akhila Girimaji & Dr. N. Shivashankar as part of an ICMR- DHR funded project (Autism/68/2012-NCD-1). PI- Dr. Satish Girimaji. 

Edited by Nikita Dadlani & Prathiksha Vaidhyanathan; Illustrations by Sanjana P S

 © 2022 by The Infant - Toddler Language Development & Intervention Lab (LiL')

Image courtesy - Latika Roy Memorial Foundation, Dehradun, India 

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