Expanding Past Labeling
Sometimes kids, and especially gestalt language processors get stuck in labeling and “I want” phrases. Every child is different, however there’s a few things that have been helpful in expanding past these blocks. When a child is labeling items, you can reply with a model without expectation or fixing what they are saying. While expanding, you are also giving them validation that you hear them.
For example, if you hear your child say “apple”, you can say “I see apple”, “mmm yummy apple”, “I eat apple”. By providing a few different options of phrases using intonation, our kids can decide which statement they most resonate with. It’’s possible they won’t imitate or they will imitate later on (delayed imitation). We are not coming from a place that makes them feel like their labeling isn’t good enough, we just want to give them more to work with. Make it natural and fun when you model, not demanding.
This can be modeled on their AAC as well if they have one and also said out loud paired together. You can model premade phrases on their device, “I like it”, “I want more”. If your child is working on grammatically correct sentences, you can model that as well, “I see a red apple”, “the apple is so crunchy”, “I love eating apples”. This can easily be done with any noun. Think about action and descriptive words while modeling. Think about commenting and asking questions. It’s best to start with a few options and repeat them throughout the activity so that they have a chance to process the phrase and use it when they want to. Another option is to keep it vague for better carryover, “I like it”, “it’s yummy”, “I eat it”.
Another way to assist in their expansion is a visual strip of sentence options. It can be icons or typed out sentences that are laminated and put on a ring they can bring around with them. If your child is saying “are you a firetruck?” to request playing with a firetruck and they are able to read, the sentence strip can say “let’s play with the ______ (firetruck)” or “I want the _______ (firetruck)”, “can I have the _____ (firetruck)?" This can be done with visual icons as well using printed icons from their AAC application or using an icon generator website. The more consistency in icons, the better.
Author: Amber Drew, C-SLPA