When your adult child is non-speaking, communication challenges can turn everyday moments into stressful situations. The good news is that clear, effective communication doesn’t always require expensive or complex technology. Simple tools, matched thoughtfully to your child’s needs, can make a meaningful difference right away.
Low-tech tools (no batteries required) are often the fastest to implement. For people who normally use a tablet or computer, letterboards (a printout that looks like a keyboard) are a favorite. Picture boards for things such as food, drink, or bathroom are also useful. Whiteboards and dry-erase boards are another flexible option for drawing, spelling, or writing short messages or options to choose from. Custom picture signs or PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) work especially well in specific environments like home, day programs, or medical settings. Basic ASL signs, such as more, help, yes, no, and want, can also provide quick, reliable communication with minimal setup.
Mid-tech tools, like tablets and apps such as Spoken, add a voice to communication. Symbol-based systems like TalkingTiles or Boardmaker-style boards help organize communication around daily needs, routines, or health-related topics.
For individuals with more complex physical needs, specialized and high-tech tools may be appropriate. Eye-gaze or E-Tran boards allow users to spell messages using eye movement alone. Structured tools like the Zones of Regulation help communicate emotional states, while pain scales such as the Wong-Baker FACES make it easier to express discomfort, especially in healthcare settings.
How to start: begin simple, focusing on immediate needs. Involve your child in choosing symbols or words that matter to them, as well as their preferred tools. Most importantly, combine methods…no single tool has to do it all. With the right mix, communication becomes clearer, faster, and far less frustrating for everyone.
