Teaching Language to Special Need Kid

"Harvest Queen" by Basia P., 2011

While teaching the language to a special need child it is good to remember:

1. Appropriately position the child.

• Make sure the child feels comfortable (temperature, light).
• Adjust your speech to the child's visual level.
• Adjust your speech to the child's auditory level.

2. Use various effective approaches.

• Promote Augmentative and Alternative Communication in natural contexts. 
• Use visual communication modes such as sign language and cued speech.
• Teach to understand and express emotions.
• Provide linguistic stimulation.
• Adjust and use expressive language to the child's cognitive level / meaningful language.
• Slaw speed of speech.
• Use consistent language.
• Repeat words, phrases, sentences, and stories.
• Support words, phrases, sentences, and stories with matching objects, pictures.

3. Support language learning within caregiver-child interactions. 

• Create communication opportunities (e.g., keep toys out of reach, violate expected routines) and face-to-face position.
• Follow the child's lead by providing activities or toys that interest the child.
• Build and establish social routines (e.g., rituals such as "Peek-a-boo" or "Pat-a-cake").

4. Once the social interaction environment is arranged, the adult can then provide specific teaching techniques to:

• Prompt (e.g., time delay and verbal prompts).
• Model (vocal or gestural models of desired communicative responses).
• Reinforce (e.g., acknowledge the child's intent meaning by naming things the child refers to) clear, intentional communication attempts within child-centered play routines. 
• Target specific language skills (e.g., early word combinations such as agent + action ? “Daddy eat,” or action + object ? “Throw ball”); vocabulary; gestures to request or comment.

“Self-portrait” by Basia P., 2012