Do's and Don'ts for Your Child with CAS

Do:

Respond to all forms of communication (gestures, signs, pictures, device, speech) that your child uses.

Do:

Use other forms of communication (gestures, signs, pictures, device) paired with speech if that is how your child is communicating or learning to communicate.

Do:

Talk to your child throughout the day, even if they are not able to talk back.

Do:

Ask your child to correct words/phrases that your speech-language pathologist has said are ready for home practice. Do this a few times a day, intermixed with lots of praise.

Do:

Talk to your child naturally, using a normal tone of voice and rhythm or melody.

Do:

Try to use the words and/or phrases that your child is targeting in therapy when talking to your child.

Do:

Expect inconsistency - it is common for your child's speech to be impacted by fatigue, change of environment, emotions, new people, etc.

Do:

Be your child's biggest cheerleader! Reinforce all attempts at speech, even if there are errors. Positive comments like "Good job trying" are meaningful to children.

Don't:

Break your sentences into single words and speak one word at a time to your child.

Don't:

Split the word into individual sounds (C-A-T) when you help your child say a word.

Don't:

Correct your child for every speech error they make. Use the rule "10 pennies = 1 dime" meaning 10 reinforcements for every correction to make sure that your child hears enough positive, reinforcing feedback to balance out the corrections.

Don't:

Constantly ask your child questions or overwhelm them with lots of requests to repeat or say words.

Don't:

Ask your child to repeatedly say a word incorrectly without helping them to say it better. Saying a word incorrectly is called negative practice and can actually make it more difficult for the child to correct the word later.