Where Do I Find Success with Non-Verbal Johnny?

I found just what I was needed, and it was entetarining!

Winnie the Pooh is to honey as Matt is to airplanes. Seven-year-old Matt lives, breathes, digests, and

Carol, I couldn't agree with you more. I always love teaming with an OT and find that vestibular movement brings out verbalization ~ and it is usually appropriate, fun, and motivating.

Funny, but I had a similar conversation with two of my SLP's today. One, because the parent did not want her to take the child out in their backyard to swing because it was too hard to get him to come back in.

The other SLP and I were discussing the use of apps and how we need to teach parents to use them interactively.

You're right about the NEED to COMMUNICATE. Let's keep that need going and make commuication MOVING and fun.

I found movement to be very effective with my nonverbal children.  They increase eye contact and seem more able to vocalize and imitate vocal tones when moving.  I am very much in favor of co-treatments with OT for these children.  I am also a fan of Stanley Greenspan's Floortime.  I think it is the best way to increase communicative intent.  Too often people think the more pictures, computer devices, etc. will allow them to 'talk'.   But, until they are engaged and have a need to communicate, all the words in the world won't help.

Hi Debi, a tough kiddo I can tell. I take it that he ALWAYS responds with a negative ~ that is after repeating what the adult says. I'm not sure, however, what the consequence is. Does he get the milk or juice anyway? (He probably wants one or the other)

Here's my suggestion: keep it verbal - go back to simple "yes/no" responses (use green/red cards or iPad). Present TWO items at a time - 1 high motivational 1 lower

Have him select/point/say the item he wants and select/point/say "yes."

Give immediate reinforcement by rewarding that item.

This will not be fast but it will give him practice in selecting what he wants/answering affirmative/manipulating his own environment.

For better carryover, make yes-green, no-red circles for parents/other teachers and show them what you're doing.

BE SURE THAT HE DOES NOT RECEIVE THE ITEM WHEN HE SAYS "NO" OR IT WILL NOT CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR.

Maybe this isn't quite the right place to ask, but I'm trying to engage and motivate a youngster who communicates only using previously heard scripts for stating preferences and greetings or echolalia+a fixed negation script, [when offered "juice or milk?" he responds, "Juice or milk? No thank-you"], what suggestions would you offer to start self-generated communications?  Following a plan of service leaning more toward the "verbal" or "non-verbal" therapies?  He verbally labels items and people, but his production-echoes include the intonation of the speaker from which he originally learned the noun.  I appreciate any assistance.  Thanks

P.S. Pam,

One thing I forgot to say, I am always honest with the parents. If they are still wiping the young man's nose at twenty years-old, I tell them they need to stop.

Funny thing ~ they always agree ~ even if it is hard to change a habit.

Hi Pam, this hits the nail-on-the-head with a 20 year-old Downs/autistic young man I'm working with as well. I'm unsure of a verbal level or any level for that matter. He has the same likes but a temper, especially with his mother. My guy is very, very, very slow and delayed to respond to anything and the parents have always over protected him too.

Here's what I'm trying to do:

1. charge his engine and get him moving a little faster by working on faster responses through cards/colors/shapes things that he knows but just going faster.

2. using a pacing board to separate his words to make him more intelligible - it works when he'll use it

3. using an iPad to get faster/motivated responses

4. using teen magazines because he like the stars like Miley C., Justin B, etc.

5. using a calendar from his recreational facility to go through the events that are coming up

6. using a mirror to do some oral motor imitation (difficult because he doesn't like to move his mouth or lips)

These young adults are tough and it is very disheartening that they were not directed long before now to do more. I have only worked with this new "friend" for a few weeks. I just convienced both parents to let ______ wipe his own nose.

To all of our SLP friends - we keep on, keeping on. I never give up because even a little indendence means a lot to these families.

I like your ideas and wonder what else you might add for a non-verbal, low functioning guy of 18 years? His loves are watching TV, listening to music and eating KFC. Beyond that, he's in a family that cares so much for him they don't expect him to do a lot. Tricky one. I am unsure of his level of verbal comprehension.

I think given his love for screen that getting him functional with the computer may in fact be a good thing though I often spend time endeavouring to get kids away from screen time.

Nice Article!  Especially important info for beginning therapists when working with this population.  Sessions will be much more productive and less stressful when using that information.