Nonverbal Communication & Its Effect On Learning

Children learn to send and receive messages to and from other people through verbal and nonverbal communication. This is the larger, non-spoken context within which all face-to-face communication takes place. Nonverbal communication includes pitch, speed, tone and volume of voice, gestures and facial expressions, body posture, stance, and proximity to the listener, eye movements, dress and appearance. Without these elements, much of what we say would not be clearly understood.

Problems With Non-verbal Communication

Children diagnosed with developmental delays such as autism, Asperger's syndrome (AS) and Pervasive Developmental Disorder may experience learning difficulties because of their inability to appreciate the nonverbal aspects of communication. These learning difficulties may include problems with language, mathematics and relationships. They may also misinterpret gestures and facial expressions, and react inappropriately.

Gestures

An autistic child may be unable to communicate verbally. Therefore, it's necessary to communicate with the child through nonverbal means in order for him to participate in the learning process. One such means is through the use of gestures. The child may take his parent's hand and lead her to the refrigerator to show that he wants something to eat or drink. At the fridge, he may point to the shelf where he expects to find what he wants. Or, he may point to a picture of the desired object, such as an apple or a cookie.

Visual Means

A visual representation of something the child wants may be in the form of a photo, drawing, pictorial representation or a written word. For example, a girl may use a girls' bathroom sign to indicate that she wants to go to the bathroom. When she wants some juice, instead of pointing to the fridge or taking her mother's hand and leading her to the fridge, she gives her mother a picture of a cup or glass. If the picture or drawing is accompanied by a label or written word, the child also learns to recognize words.

Technological Devices

A host of technological devices exists to make nonverbal communication easier. The Alpha Smart is an electronic keyboard that resembles a small laptop. An older child can use it to type his papers and communicate his requests. Another device is the Voice Output Communication Aid, which allows the child to punch in a pre-recorded message. A visual representation of the object that the child recognizes--say, an apple--is placed over the button. The child presses that to indicate that he wants an apple.

Other Uses

Nonverbal communication is not limited only to the child making requests. It should give the child an opportunity to indulge in social interaction, such as greeting others, playing games and expressing emotion in acceptable ways. It can also be used to teach the child how to perform various tasks, such as brushing his teeth or doing the dishes. The child can be taught how to schedule himself through the use of a clock or other visual signs, such as a traffic light. The key to assisting the child to succeed at nonverbal communication is to understand the child's preferred means of communicating and develop it, or redirect the child if his method of communication is unsatisfactory.