What is Child Led Therapy?

 In short child led therapy is—“Child-led therapy is all about following a child's interests and allowing them to lead in your sessions. Rather than going into sessions with an adult-directed agenda, we enter the child’s world of play. Children will gravitate toward what they enjoy or what their body needs (jumping, crashing, etc). This means sessions are intrinsically motivating and meaningful for the child.” - Meaningful Speech

What is AAC? 

“AAC means all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. People of all ages can use AAC if they have trouble with speech or language skills. Augmentative means to add to someone’s speech. Alternative means to be used instead of speech. Some people use AAC throughout their life. Others may use AAC only for a short time”- ASHA website 

What does Modeling Language Mean?

Modeling language involves demonstrating language usage to your child. This happens during daily interactions all the time. Modeling is really the process of utilizing your robust and more complete speech and language system to help your child’s developing speech and language system grow. We can model all the reasons for communication which include: requests, protests, shared joy, shared joint routines and actions, greetings and closings and many others. 

Real magic can happen when we offer Augmentative and Alternative communication tools to our nonverbal or minimally verbal friends. When they are participating in their interests and joys (just being a child), we can walk beside them modeling all the language connected to their routines and actions.  These sessions can often appear to be chaotic, but play can be that way. The most fun and most learning can truly take place when this joy and fun is happening. 

The effects of AAC in combo with child led play and therapy can result in:

• Increased engagement: When you follow your child’s lead, they are more likely to be engaged and receptive to learning. This creates optimal conditions for introducing AAC core words.

• Natural learning: By modeling AAC core words in the context of play, you help your child understand their meaning and purpose naturally. This fosters generalisation and spontaneous use.

• Building relationships: Shared play experiences strengthen the bond between you and your child or between child and therapist. Trust and connection are essential for successful communication.

• Reduced pressure: Modeling AAC core words without expectation removes the pressure to produce language. This allows your child to explore communication at their own pace.

• Expanded vocabulary: As your child becomes more comfortable with AAC, they will begin to incorporate core words into their own communication. This leads to vocabulary growth and increased independence.- “The London Speech and Feeding Practice” 

  All the while modeling language on the device don’t forget to model it verbally too! 

  Talk frequently and narrate their activities and your own activities. Repetition is key, practice lots of routines. Expand their thoughts, for example—if your child hits “car” on the device, see if you can add another word.

  Validate and expand: Yes, a car. A red car.