non verbal communication
Techniques to develop a child's non-verbal communication
Non-verbal communication (ICF d3) is developed through motivating reasons to communicate, modelled gesture and gaze, communicative temptations, expectant pausing, joint-attention routines and aided/unaided AAC, with every attempt responded to as meaningful. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
Long before words arrive, a child is already communicating — with eyes, hands, posture and intent — and our job is to make that channel richer, more intentional and more reciprocal.
In short
Non-verbal communication (ICF d3, communicating) is built by creating frequent, motivating reasons to communicate and responding to every attempt as meaningful. Core techniques include modelling gesture and gaze, environmental sabotage to provoke initiation, expectant pausing, joint-attention routines, and — where indicated — aided AAC (PECS, symbol boards, gesture-speech pairing). The aim is intentional, reciprocal communication, whether or not speech follows.Techniques that work
- Environmental arrangement (communicative temptations): place desired items in sight but out of reach, offer choices, or interrupt a familiar routine so the child must signal a request — pointing, reaching, giving, eye gaze.
- Expectant pause and OWL (Observe, Wait, Listen): wait silently with anticipatory affect for several seconds; the pause hands the turn to the child and tolerates their slower processing.
- Modelling and gesture imitation: pair spoken words with consistent gestures, signs or natural body language; use exaggerated facial affect and proximal–distal point shaping.
- Joint-attention routines: people-games, song-and-pause, and shared-book rituals build gaze-shifting, showing and referencing — the substrate of all communication.
- Aided & unaided AAC: PECS phase work, core-word symbol boards or speech-generating devices for children who need a visual modality; AAC supports, not suppresses, speech development.
- Responsive contingency: treat every gesture, vocalisation or look as purposeful and respond immediately and predictably, building cause-and-effect understanding.
Clinical note
Grade prompts from most-to-least intrusive, fade adult support to encourage initiation over compliance, and track frequency and range of communicative functions (requesting, protesting, commenting, social) rather than word count alone. Coach parents to embed these in daily routines.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — never from an app. Explore our approach to non-verbal communication, our speech and language therapy pathway, and the clinician-administered AbilityScore® assessment.Trusted sources
WHO ICF domain d3 (communicating); ASHA guidance on AAC and early communication intervention; AAP/HealthyChildren developmental communication milestones.Next step — Partner with Pinnacle to build a child's non-verbal communication plan — connect with our speech-language team.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Track the frequency and range of communicative functions — requesting, protesting, commenting, social referencing — and whether the child initiates rather than only responds; flag plateaus in gaze-shifting or joint attention.
Try this at home
Place a favourite item in sight but out of reach, then pause expectantly with anticipatory affect — let the child signal before you help, and respond instantly to any gesture, look or sound.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 540 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
Does using AAC stop a child from learning to talk?
No. Evidence indicates aided and unaided AAC supports rather than suppresses speech, by reducing communicative frustration and modelling language; many children develop more spoken output alongside AAC.
What is the difference between intentional and pre-intentional communication?
Pre-intentional acts are interpreted by the partner without the child directing them at a listener; intentional communication shows clear audience-directed behaviour such as gaze shift, showing or pointing — building intentionality is the early therapy target.
How do I prompt without creating prompt-dependence?
Grade prompts from least-to-most or most-to-least, fade systematically, and prioritise child-initiated communication over adult-cued responses so the behaviour generalises across people and settings.