Communication series

Use the ideas summarised in this series every day, when feeding, bathing, changing and playing.

You will already be doing many of these activities, as part of caring for your baby.

However, interactions between parent and child can happen less when your baby has Down’s syndrome.

That’s why it is helpful to use some specific strategies when interacting with your baby or child.

Support your child’s spoken communication with lots of visual cues.

For example, you can use gestures, objects, pictures and photos alongside speech, when you interact with your child.

You can also learn a signing system (such as Makaton and Signalong). Sign and gesture will help your child to understand what you are saying, and will also help your child to communicate. Ask your speech and language therapist about where you can learn to sign.

There are also great online resources where you can learn to sign, including Mr Tumble (CBeebies- BBC).

Signing along with Mr Tumble is a fun way of learning simple sign language.

Watch your child’s behaviour very closely, and respond to her ways of communicating.

She may be smiling, making noises, looking and/or gesturing.

Copy your child. Tell her the word and make the sign for what she is interested in.

Parents do this naturally, but it helps to watch children with Down’s syndrome very closely, because their attempts to communicate can be more subtle or take longer.

When your child tries to communicate, respond enthusiastically.

Smile, use lots of facial expressions, vary the tone of your voice and use gesture/signs.

Being animated will help your child to pay attention to your facial expressions, words and gestures.

Use lots of repetition. When your child communicates, copy what he has said or done.

For example, if your child is interested in a dog and says “d” (or any other sound), repeat back, “Yes! Dog!”.

Do the same thing with gestures and signs.

If your child tries to speak or sign but it’s not quite right, respond by saying the correct word and making the sign.

This helps you to see what your child is watching and interested in.

It also helps your child to focus on you – to listen and pick up on cues, like your facial expression and how your lips and tongue move when you make sounds, talk and sing.

Children with Down’s syndrome often need extra time to respond.

Watch carefully, pause and wait when interacting with your child.

It may take him longer to process what he sees and hears. It may also take him longer to respond by moving, gesturing, signing, vocalising or speaking.

Always give your child extra time. Slow down your own talking too.

Most children enjoy social interaction. Give your child lots of praise and smiles to show that you are pleased.

She may enjoy other rewards too, like a favourite expression, song or activity.

Praise will encourage your child to communicate.