Page 30 - SEN113 SEN Magazine July-August 2021-V3

30 Communication Increasing communication easily Karla Pretorius on how to increase functional communication. SEN113 This is a topic of discussion for all parents. As parents, we always look for more appropriate ways for our children to relay their message. We would love a clear vocal request instead of a scream, a cry, a meltdown or a child running away from bath time, or a healthy meal. But first, before we look at how to increase functional communication, let us look at what communication actually entails. What is communication? It is actually quite simple - communication is just one person (the sender) sending a message to another person (the receiver). As long as the message reaches the receiver and the receiver understands the message (and responds to it), the communication works. For example - I am in the grocery store with my little one. He sees a biscuit and wants it. He screams. I give him the biscuit. He stops screaming. That was a very successful message conveyed right there, but it was definitely not the most socially appropriate or convenient way of communicating. Every person needs a way to communicate effectively. It needs to be easy and it needs to be successful. If the way that we want our child to communicate is too tricky or requires too much effort, they will use a different way, such as screaming. If our child does not communicate in a way that others can understand yet, it is our job, as parents, to help them find a way that works for them. Verbal communication is not always the easiest way for our children to convey their message to us. The goal of this article is not to discuss various reasons for this difficulty, but rather to increase functional communication. Contrary to popular belief when a second or third mode of communication is introduced to a child or adult, it does not decrease their motivation to communicate verbally. Our children will often feel less anxiety when they have multiple modes of communication available to them. Meaning that if you provide various ways for your child to request, other than requiring a verbal response, they will firstly be more likely “A scream, a cry, a meltdown” senmagazine.co.uk