Helping Your Child with Autism: Info Talk Technique

Helping Your Child with Autism: Info Talk Technique

Do you have a child who can't use his words to comment or doesn't say what he wants? Info Talk is a simple therapy technique that may help your child learn to speak.

Sometimes he pays attention to the things he sees around him. Sometimes he seems to be looking from a distance. Sometimes he cries so loudly that you get frustrated because you don't seem to know what he wants. Sometimes he seems to want to say something, but you don't know how to get him to say it. This can be a therapy technique that can help your child use their words.

What is Info Talk?

In short, it is a therapy technique that encourages parents and caregivers to talk to their children on all possible occasions. This means that we include comments about our daily surroundings to help him discover the usefulness and power of his language for communication. The trick is to know what to say and how to say so you can encourage your child to speak.

When should you do info talk?

At all possible times! It is best used when we perform daily activities such as brushing our teeth, washing our hands, playing or watching TV. If you are traveling with family, it is also ideal to use it.

How should you do info talk?

It's very simple. During daily activities, comment on your daily surroundings. It could be anything from what he does to what he holds, plays, or what he sees outside. Here is an example of a situation.

Mark is a 2 year old boy who has been diagnosed with autism. He can't speak yet. He uses vocalizations like “aaaa” and “eee,” but they don’t seem to mean anything when he says them. Sometimes he focuses his gaze on objects, but he averts his gaze to something distant. So while he washes his hands:

Mark: Aaaaa.

Mother: Yes, Mark washes his hands. Wash hands. Wash your hands.

Mark: (while touching the soap)

Mother: Mark is holding the soap. Yes, Mark will wash himself with soap.

Mark: (while washing up) Aaaaa.

Mother: Mark washes his hands with water. Squirt! Squirt! Squirt!

Mark: A! A! A!

Mother: Squirt! Squirt! Squirt! Good try!

See? It's very simple! In this way you will help your child expand his vocabulary.

What should you remember?

1. Use simple words. It's important to use early words when speaking to your child who is still learning to speak. Instead of saying “TV,” you can also say “TV.” For example, “washing” is more ideal than “rinsing.”

2. Use a melodic tone when speaking. When speaking, use a slightly animated intonation of the voice, similar to children's television shows. This will help your child pay more attention to your speech rather than words with the same volume and tone.

Although every child has their own pace of growth and learning, consistent use of the Info Talk technique can increase your child's chances of being encouraged to talk.

Inspired by Angeline Sayoc