The Not So Obvious Ways We Communicate

Welcome back to the Emerge blog! Today we’re sharing a new post from Amy Munekata, MS, CCC-SLP.

Communication is incredibly complex. It’s not just spoken or written information. It includes sounds, facial expressions, gestures, behavior, and more! In this blog, we’re going to explore some of the not so obvious ways we communicate.

While I’m calling these “not so obvious” because they are not usually top of mind when we think about communication, I would argue that some of these forms of communication are very obvious. When a non-speaking friend gives me extreme side-eye or when a kid throws a toy across the room, I know exactly what they are communicating to me in that moment without a single word being uttered. Even without words, they are communicating!

Sounds

Vroom vroom! Beep beep! Meow! Woof! Uh oh! Weeeeee! These are not “words” per se, but they all carry meaning. Even grunting or vocalizing a single sound can convey an idea or multiple ideas depending on how it sounds. It may not be obvious to the general listener, but for family members and therapists that work closely with the individual, they can pick up on the smallest changes in sounds that mean different things. Crying is another example of a sound that may sound different in different contexts. For example, a baby’s cry may sound different when they are hungry compared to when they are in pain. It may not be obvious to everyone, but parents often know the difference.

Gestures and Facial Expressions

A smile. A frown. A head nod or shake. Thumbs up or down. Waving a hand. These gestures are generally recognized by everyone and have an agreed upon meaning behind them. But just like gestures may vary between cultures, gestures may vary between individuals and how they use them to communicate. I have known people who use mouth or hand movements to indicate “yes” or “no”. Even blinking can be used to communicate when there are other motor impairments.

Behavior

Every parent is familiar with the spoon throwing game. Your baby is eating their puree when the spoon is dropped on the floor. You clean it, hand it back to them, and next thing you know it’s on the floor again. Maybe it’s a game of cause and effect and your kid is curious if you will keep picking it up every time. Or maybe that spoon throwing is their way of communicating that they aren’t hungry any more. My nephew has a funny habit of touching his bellybutton whenever he gets sleepy. He probably doesn’t even realize that he’s communicating, but everyone in my family knows that it’s probably time for a nap soon. It’s not just kids that do this. Adults also have behaviors that communicate. Your co-worker biting on their pen or fidgeting in their seat may be feeling anxious or stressed about something. Actions and behaviors can communicate whether it is intentional or not.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

There is a whole range of AAC including letter boards, picture communication boards, buttons or switches, and speech generating devices (SGDs). All of these methods allow the communicator to convey information without the use of verbal speech. If you are interested in learning more about SGDs in particular, Emerge has multiple blogs on SGDs, the options available, and the process of purchasing an SGD through insurance for those who have a medical necessity.

As a speech therapist, I strive to teach children to use conventional ways of communication like verbal speech, sign language, or AAC because I want to support their language development and to make sure these children are fully understood by their families, peers, and teachers. It’s extremely important for their safety that they are able to communicate clearly. But I also strive to honor all their forms of communication so they feel heard/seen and safe. This can happen in many ways. I may say something like “I hear you” or “you seem [emotion]”. I may also model language appropriate to the situation – “You can say ‘_____’”. 

Do you know kids who use unconventional forms of communication? How can you honor their communication while also supporting their language development?

Blog by Amy Munekata, MS, CCC-SLP