Supporting Communication: Tools for Speech and Language at Home

Communication is the bridge to connection, self-expression, and learning. For many special needs homeschoolers—including those who are nonverbal, have speech delays, or use augmentative communication—home is a powerful environment to build and reinforce these vital skills.

Build Communication Into Everyday Life:

• Talk Aloud: Describe your actions, narrate routines, and verbalize thinking (“I’m pouring juice. The juice is orange. Would you like some too?”). This provides language models without pressure.

• Read Aloud Together: Shared story time exposes your child to vocabulary, sentence structure, and conversation skills. Pause to ask questions or predict what happens next.

• Play-Based Strategies: Use dolls, action figures, or stuffed animals to act out simple conversations or stories—role-play invites expressive language.

Incorporate Visual Aids and Technology:

• Allow your child to select activities or express needs visually, reducing frustration and building independence.

• Consult with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for suggestions on devices or apps that support your child’s unique communication profile.

• Many free or affordable apps reinforce articulation, language development, or turn-taking. Practice together for just a few minutes at a time.

Encouraging Interaction and Expression:

• Give your child extra time to process and formulate responses—don’t rush to fill silences.

• Accept and praise all efforts to communicate, whether spoken, signed, or through a device.

• If your child says “car,” you might add, “Yes, the red car is fast! Let’s race it together!”

Ask your SLP for simple at-home practice ideas or visual supports. Regular check-ins can help you maintain progress and problem-solve when communication gets stuck. Supporting speech and language at home is less about perfect pronunciation and more about building confidence and joy in self-expression. Every gesture, sound, or word is a win worth celebrating.