Using Pictures to Communicate

Pictures are a great way to help children learn to communicate more frequently and more effectively. They can decrease frustration and help to get talking started

If they are used properly pictures will never slow down talking. When your child uses a picture to tell you what they want, you get to say the words they would have used over and over again because you know exactly what they are asking for. Communication is always the first step.

This is what I use in my therapy room to help children choose what game they want to play.

If you want to use pictures with your child there are some important steps to follow:

Find something that they are very motivated by. Something that they would always want if they see it. Favourite toys or yummy snacks often work well. Try to find something that can be repeated lots of times. Toys that “end” such as bubbles, tops, wind up toys or toys that have lots of pieces such as legos. Snacks that  come in small pieces.  You want something that your child can ask for a number of times.

Take a picture of the snack/toy, find an image on the internet or use part of the label/package. Stick this onto a background, coloured paper, cardboard, etc. Velcro or sticky tac works well.

Teach your child to trade this picture for what they want. Start by showing them that you have the special something and tempt them with it. If needed give them a taste or a quick turn to get them interested. Having another person to help your child take the picture off the background and give it to you can help.

When they give you the picture, you say the words that they would have used.  “Cracker, I want a cracker, cracker”. You give them the item as you are saying the words. Don’t hold out to make them talk. 

Put the background in the area of the house where the item is. In the kitchen for snacks, by the toys for toys. Make sure that your child can’t simply help themselves to the item. Put it where they can’t reach it, use childproof locks on doors etc.

Once your child is successfully trading this one picture for what they want try adding more pictures to the background or set up another background for a different type of item.  

Once you have more than one picture on a background, make sure that your child is looking at the pictures and is making choices. Some children will randomly pick pictures thinking that they will magically get what they want. If needed try putting up a picture of something that they wouldn’t really want, a sock, a food they don’t like, a hat, etc. If they give you this picture, this is what they get. 

Tips:

• Have family members model using the pictures to get what they want.
• Use different coloured backgrounds for different types of items. 
• Once your child is good at trading you can start to wait an extra second before giving them what they want. Say the word and them look at them expectantly to see if they will copy you. You can also try leaving blanks for them to fill in “I want a ___”. Remember though, the goal of using pictures is to increase communication. Never “hold out” to try to make them talk. Children will always communicate in the easiest way possible. Your job is to give them what they need to get their messages across. 
• If pictures aren’t working try trading objects. An empty cup for a drink, a food wrapper for a snack, plastic food for real food, a bubble wand for bubbles, et. Objects have more meaning that pictures. 
• Pointing to the picture instead of having your child take the picture off and giving it to you often works well too. But if your child needs to work on interacting with you and others more then trading pictures is more helpful.

I hope these ideas help

Let me know if you have any questions.  I’m at SLP@Speech-TherapyAtHome.com

Garth Schindel SLPatHome