Communication challenges don’t just affect the person who is struggling to communicate. They affect everyone around them.
The child feels misunderstood.
The caregiver feels frustrated.
The teacher feels stuck.
The therapist feels like they’re running out of ideas.
And often, everyone involved is working incredibly hard to solve the problem.
The challenge is that communication doesn’t always look the way people expect.
When we hear the word “communication,” many of us immediately think about talking. We think about spoken words.
But here’s the thing: communication is much more than speech.
Communication includes:
- Gestures
- Facial expressions
- Body language
- Sounds and vocalizations
- AAC
- Behavior
- Play
- Social interaction
In fact, communication happens all day long and in every scenario.
Communication Challenges
Communication difficulties can absolutely ruin a child’s day.
A child struggling to communicate has difficulty:
- Asking for help
- Expressing wants and needs
- Participating in classroom activities
- Building relationships with peers
- Managing frustration
- Understanding expectations
Difficulties with communication create a cycle of frustration and overwhelm. This often leads to behavioral challenges, decreased self-esteem, and reduced participation.
Aka- a really bad day.
Many times, as the adults in the situation, we often find ourselves feeling like:
“This child is just being difficult.”
“I want to avoid [an activity] so we don’t have a meltdown.”
“She learned [this skill], and now she’s refusing to use it!”
“I hope [student] is absent today…”
While these thoughts are so for real and understandable, they keep us from looking at the real scenario:
What is this child trying to communicate?
Behavior is Communication
One of the most powerful shifts we make is learning to view behavior through a communication lens.
This doesn’t mean we allow the child to be destructive, put others in danger, or use ineffective behaviors.
It doesn’t mean every behavior should be ignored. [<- this one deserves its own post]
It means that behavior often provides valuable information about a child’s experience.
- When a child throws materials, they may be communicating frustration.
- A child leaving the group may be communicating that the environment feels overwhelming.
- Refusing to participate may indicate a child’s misunderstanding.
Here’s the important thing: positive behaviors also communicate information.
- Smiles communicate friendship and happiness.
- Waving communicates a greeting, gets attention, or says goodbye!
- When a child brings you a favorite book, they communicate a desire to share an experience.
When we begin viewing behavior as communication, we move away from asking:
“How do I stop this behavior?”
And begin asking:
“What is this child trying to tell me?”
Connection > Compliance
Sometimes adults feel pressure to focus on compliance.
We want children to participate, follow directions, and complete tasks.
These goals are understandable and important; however, communication support works best when we focus on building connections.
Children are more likely to communicate when they feel understood.
They are more likely to engage when interactions feel meaningful.
And they are more likely to learn when adults approach challenges with curiosity rather than judgment.
Looking for More Support?
I provide professional development and training opportunities focused on:
- Functional Communication & Engagement
- Trauma-Informed Practices
- Behavior as Communication
- Visual Supports
- Early Childhood Communication Development
Whether you’re supporting one child or an entire classroom, practical communication strategies can make a meaningful difference.
