Communication fascinates me. I am always interested in how difficult it often is to convey our thoughts, ideas, plans or feelings to others. Even more fascinating is how the nature of communication is changing with the unprecedented onslaught of information and rapidly developing technology.
For parents of children with developmental difficulties, communication takes on a whole other set of challenges.
RDI consultant Sue Simmons recently wrote about this on her blog and suggested how easy it is to allow our communication with our children to default to "peppering them with prompts – one after the next, day after day." She goes on to say that it is "noteworthy that direct prompts are the cornerstone of the most widely accepted interventions for ASD, often leaving children dependent on prompts....and that ultimately, all of this can rob parents of their ability to connect with their child, unwittingly becoming instruments whose primary focus is preventing kids from melting down out of frustration."
Following are some of Sue's suggestions:
- Start by doing an “internal audit” of your communication style.
Do you speak differently to your ASD child than you do to other children? Do you prompt your child(ren) constantly? Is your communication largely “means to an end?” Do you assume that your child is unable to make decisions and function in simple situations? What you observe may give you a bit of a jolt.
- Don’t be hard on yourself if you discover that you’ve fallen into the habit of prompting left and right
- Consider your communicative options before you speak. Is there another way to say what you would typically say?
- Try “thinking out loud” when you’re relaxed and spending time with your child. A simple statement such as “I love vanilla ice cream” may just initiate a connection with your child that will surprise you.
Sue Simmons, P.B.H.E.
Certified RDI® Program Consultant and Family Coach
Equinox Autism Consulting Ltd.
99 Lakeside Drive
Ennismore, ON
Phone: 705.875.4605
Email: equinox@bell.net
Website: www.equinoxac.ca
