Using Technology to Boost Your Child's Communication Skills: A Helpful Guide

Communication is something that, even if you aren’t neurodivergent, you may struggle with. Human interactions can be tricky to navigate, especially if you are brand new to an environment and want to make a good impression. However, if you have a child who has a neurodivergent condition, such as autism spectrum disorder (or ASD), then it can be even harder for them to communicate effectively, which may lead to frustration and isolation. Luckily, there are some things that can be done to help boost a child’s communication skills using technology. So, read on for some ideas!

Apps

When your child has a diagnosis of ASD, they may find it hard to express their needs and wants effectively. There is, of course, a portable and accessible solution in the form of almost any autism app. These apps are aimed at different age groups, so make sure you choose one that is the right age range for your child.

The apps may have photos that your child can click to express a need, they may help them with typing out of sentences or, they may help them to send you messages. This can help to build your child’s confidence around communication by helping to take the pressure off.

Cameras

Children who have ASD are still curious about the world; they may just be less able to express this. So, if they are going on a day trip or they are going to school, it can be worth getting them to take a camera. This will allow them to take pictures of things or people that they have seen throughout the day, which they can then show to you. This will thereby enable you to explain to them what certain things are and will help them to ask questions with the help of a visual aid.

Skype (or any video platform)

If you want to help your child with autism develop their social skills at home, then it can be worth looking into downloading a video platform like Skype for them to talk to family members and friends.

This will help them to learn to communicate effectively from the comfort of their own home, with your assistance, without putting them on the spot. It also allows them to communicate with people they know while learning to assess social cues and other non-verbal skills. Always make sure that they are supervised when using any video platform.

Gaming

Online gaming (with age-appropriate games!) is another way that technology can boost your child’s communication skills. Again, you will need to make sure that they are supervised but, many of the online games that can be accessed via websites or games consoles can have headphones and microphones attached, which will help them to talk without needing to read social cues, while also having fun playing a game!

Remember that every child who has ASD is different. It is important to try to build their communication skills, but you will need to discuss any potential techniques with a trained doctor to make sure that they are appropriate.

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