# Therapy for nonverbal communication in toddlers Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-nonverbal-communication Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited Toddler nonverbal communication — pointing, gestures, eye contact and facial expression — is supported mainly through speech and language therapy, often with occupational therapy and parent coaching, building the social-communication foundations that come before words. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. *Long before words arrive, your toddler is already 'talking' — with pointing, gestures, eye contact and big expressive faces — and the right therapy helps these powerful skills grow.* ## In short Nonverbal communication in toddlers — pointing, gestures, eye contact, facial expressions and showing or giving objects — is supported mainly through **speech and language therapy**, often alongside **occupational therapy** and parent coaching. A therapist makes these skills fun and natural through play, and shows you how to encourage them in everyday moments. These foundations come *before* spoken words, so building them now supports talking later — and early, joyful practice helps most. ## The support that helps - **Speech and language therapy** — the core support. The therapist builds joint attention, pointing, gesturing, eye contact and turn-taking through playful, motivating activities your child enjoys. - **Augmentative tools when helpful** — gestures, sign, picture cards or simple choice-boards give your child a way to be understood right now, which actually encourages, not delays, talking. - **Occupational therapy** — supports the attention, sensory regulation and shared play that nonverbal communication grows from. - **Parent coaching** — you are your child's best partner; the team shows you how to wait, follow your child's lead and respond warmly to every gesture and glance. ## When to seek a check If by around 12–18 months your toddler rarely points, shares a look, waves or shows you things, a developmental check helps a clinician tell apart needing a little more time from needing targeted support. ## 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 form. Your child gets a clear [communication profile](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and a plan built around their strengths through our [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) programme. Learn more about [nonverbal communication](/nonverbal-communication). ## Trusted sources WHO ICF framework on communication functions; CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestones; ASHA guidance on early social communication; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). **Next step —** Ready to help your toddler connect and be understood? [Book a developmental 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 - CDC milestone resources: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development - ASHA early communication guidance: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/ - AAP HealthyChildren.org: https://www.healthychildren.org - WHO ICF communication functions: https://icd.who.int ## Connected topics and perspectives - Skills: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/skills - Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent - Toddler: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/age/toddler - Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication - Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support - Act: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/act - Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment - Family Empowerment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/family_empowerment - Non-Verbal: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/ability/non-verbal - Childhood Autism Rating Scale, 2nd ed.: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/assessment/cars2 - English: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/language/en - SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/sdg/3 - nonverbal communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/skill/nonverbal-communication - Caregiver: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/caregiver - Teacher / Educator: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/teacher - Therapist / Clinician: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/therapist ## Related question paths ### Recognise signs & concerns - At what age should a child use nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-should-a-child-nonverbal-communication - Nonverbal Communication as an Early Sign of Developmental Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/could-difficulty-with-nonverbal-communication-be-a-sign-of-a-developmental-delay - Is It Normal My Toddler Isn't Yet Using Nonverbal Communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication - What if my toddler isn't yet showing nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication - What signs suggest my child may need support with nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-nonverbal-communication - Nonverbal Communication Milestones in Toddlers: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-do-children-usually-nonverbal-communication - If a child isn't yet showing nonverbal communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication - Nonverbal communication milestones for teachers: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/by-what-age-is-a-child-usually-expected-to-nonverbal-communication-and-what-should-a-teacher-expect-in-class - Observing Nonverbal Communication on a Home Visit: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/during-a-home-visit-what-should-a-frontline-worker-observe-about-a-child-learning-to-nonverbal-communication - Nonverbal communication delay: when to escalate: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/if-a-child-cannot-nonverbal-communication-at-the-expected-age-when-should-a-frontline-health-worker-escalate - Nonverbal communication difficulty as a developmental red flag: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-difficulty-learning-to-nonverbal-communication-a-clinical-red-flag-that-warrants-a-developmental-referral ### Understand assessment - What an amber zone for nonverbal communication means: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-does-that-mean - What the green zone for nonverbal communication means: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-does-that-mean - What a red zone for nonverbal communication means: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-does-that-mean - Assessing and tracking nonverbal communication progress: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-clinician-assess-and-track-a-child-s-progress-in-learning-to-nonverbal-communication ### Explore therapy & support - Therapy for Non-Verbal Communication in Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-non-verbal-communication - What therapy helps a child learn to communicate when non-verbal?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-non-verbal - What therapy helps a child learn social communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-social-communication - What therapy helps a child learn to talk?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-verbal-communication - How can a teacher support a child working on non verbal?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-non-verbal - How can a teacher support a child working on nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-nonverbal-communication - Amber Zone for Nonverbal Communication — What To Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next - Green zone nonverbal communication — next steps: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next - Red zone for nonverbal communication: what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next - As a therapist, what techniques help a child develop nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-therapist-what-techniques-help-a-child-develop-the-ability-to-nonverbal-communication - How a teacher can support a student learning nonverbal communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-student-who-is-still-learning-to-nonverbal-communication - How should a therapist prioritise a child in the amber zone for nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-nonverbal-communication ### At home & in everyday life - How can therapy improve my child's communication if they are non-verbal?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-therapy-improve-my-child-s-non-verbal - How can I help my child learn nonverbal communication at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-help-my-child-with-learn-to-nonverbal-communication-at-home - What is one Everyday Therapy activity for nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-one-everyday-therapy-activity-to-help-my-child-with-nonverbal-communication - Helping Your Child Practise Nonverbal Communication at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-how-can-i-gently-help-a-child-practise-learning-to-nonverbal-communication-during-everyday-routines