# How can a non-verbal child with Speech and Language Delay communicate?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-non-verbal-child-with-speech-and-language-delay-communicate
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

A non-verbal child with speech and language delay can communicate through gestures, pictures, sign and speech-generating devices (AAC), guided by a speech-language therapist and supported by responsive everyday interaction at home. AAC tools encourage, not replace, spoken language. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

*When words haven't arrived yet, your child still has so much to say — and there are warm, proven ways to help them say it.*

## In short
A non-verbal child with speech and language delay can absolutely communicate — through **gestures, pointing, pictures, sign, and child-friendly devices** — long before clear speech appears. These are called Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) approaches, and they don't hold back talking; research shows they often *encourage* it by reducing frustration and building the back-and-forth of connection. With a speech-language therapist's guidance and your everyday warmth at home, most children find a way to be understood.

## Ways your child can communicate now
- **Gestures and body language** — pointing, reaching, waving, nodding, leading you by the hand. Notice these, respond to them, and name them out loud ("You want the ball!").
- **Pictures and choice boards** — your child points to a photo or symbol to ask, choose or share. Picture-exchange systems give a clear, instant "voice" for everyday wants.
- **Sign and key-word gestures** — a small set of simple signs (more, eat, finished, help) gives fast, frustration-free communication.
- **Speech-generating devices and apps (AAC)** — tablets or devices that "speak" when your child taps a symbol. These are tools that build language, not crutches that replace it.
- **Vocalisations and sounds** — treat every babble, grunt or attempt as meaningful and answer it, so your child learns that communication *works*.

The golden rule is simple: **respond to every attempt** as if it matters — because to your child, it does. A speech-language therapist will choose the right mix for your child and coach you to use it through the day.

## When to seek a check
If your child is not using words by around two years, has very few ways to communicate wants and needs, or seems frustrated trying to be understood, a developmental check helps. Early support shapes communication when the brain is most ready — and lets a clinician rule out hearing or other factors that are simple to address.

## The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or online form. From a precise [communication profile](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated), our therapists build a plan around your child's strengths through our [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) programme, introducing AAC where it helps. Explore more ways we [support every child](/).

## Trusted sources
WHO ICD-11 (developmental speech or language disorders); CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestones; Indian Academy of Pediatrics; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org); RBSK developmental screening.

**Next step —** Want to give your child a confident way to be heard? [Book a speech and language assessment with a Pinnacle clinician](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate).

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- WHO ICD-11 · Developmental speech or language disorders: https://icd.who.int/browse11
- CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early.: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): https://www.healthychildren.org

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Conditions: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/conditions
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Adaptive: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/adaptive
- Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support
- Plan: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/plan
- Speech Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/speech-therapy
- Family Empowerment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/family_empowerment

## Related question paths

### Understand the subject
- How Speech and Language Delay Affects Daily Life: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-speech-and-language-delay-affect-a-child-s-daily-life
- Is Speech and Language Delay considered a disability?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-speech-and-language-delay-considered-a-disability
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- What is Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-speech-and-language-delay
- What Often Occurs Alongside Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-other-conditions-often-occur-alongside-speech-and-language-delay
- Early intervention outcomes for speech and language delay under 7: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-current-research-show-about-early-intervention-outcomes-for-speech-and-language-delay-in-children-under-7
- Speech and Language Delay (ICD-11 6A01) Defined: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-speech-and-language-delay-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood
- ICD-11 Classification for Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-speech-and-language-delay
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### Recognise signs & concerns
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- Can speech and language delay be prevented?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-speech-and-language-delay-be-prevented
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- Early Signs of Speech & Language Delay in a 1-Year-Old Girl: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-1-year-old-girl
- Early Signs of Speech & Language Delay (12–18 Months): https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-12-to-18-month-old
- Early Signs of Speech and Language Delay at 18–24 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-18-to-24-month-old
- Early Signs of Speech and Language Delay in a 2-Year-Old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-2-year-old
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### Explore causes & influences
- Are boys more likely to have speech and language delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-boys-more-likely-to-have-speech-and-language-delay
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### Understand assessment
- How AbilityScore Tracks Progress in Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-abilityscore-track-progress-in-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- How Speech and Language Delay Is Assessed in a Young Child: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-speech-and-language-delay-assessed-in-a-young-child
- What does an AbilityScore of 0–100 mean for a child with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- What does an AbilityScore of 100–200 mean for a child with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- What does an AbilityScore of 200–300 mean for a child with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
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- What does an AbilityScore of 400–500 mean for a child with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- What an AbilityScore® of 500–600 Means for Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- What does an AbilityScore of 600–700 mean for a child with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-600-700-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
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### Explore therapy & support
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- Does Speech and Language Delay Get Better or Worse?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/does-speech-and-language-delay-get-better-or-worse-as-a-child-grows
- How to Support Adaptive Development in Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-we-support-adaptive-development-in-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- How common is Speech and Language Delay in children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-common-is-speech-and-language-delay-in-children
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- How do I explain Speech and Language Delay to my child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-do-i-explain-speech-and-language-delay-to-my-child