Communication Temptations

What is a communication temptation?

A communication temptation is using something motivating for the child to tempt them to communicate in some way. The child can respond using gestures, sign language, vocalizations or speech.

How can I use communication temptations?

Use these situations to motivate your child to ask or say something:

• Play a social game (peek-a-boo) with the child until the child expresses they are having fun, then stop the game and wait.
• Play with a desirable toy in front of the child without offering it to the child.
• Place a favorite item inside a clear (hard to open) container and hand it to the child.
• Put a toy in sight, but out of reach.
• Open a bottle of bubbles, blow some bubbles, and then close the bottle tightly. Hand the closed bottle to the child.
• Put toys or objects that make noise in a dark bag (cannot see through) and shake the bag. Hold up the bag and wait.
• Give the child a small amount of something, such as blocks, and wait for them to request more.
• Blow up a balloon and slowly deflate it. Hand the deflated balloon to the child or hold the deflated balloon up to your mouth and wait.
• Give the child a broken toy.
• Activate a wind-up toy, let it stop, and hand it to the child.
• Hold a food item or toy that the child dislikes in front of the child and offer it.
• Leave a part of an activity or game out. Give the child a coloring page, but no crayons.

Tips

• If your child does not respond to the communication temptation, you can model a response and then provide the desired object to show them what they can say to get what they want next time.
• Think about what motivates the child. What are the “desirable items”?
• Remember to model the target or goal so the child knows what’s expected.
• Always respond to the child’s communication attempts.
• Communicating should be a positive experience, so if they become distressed with one strategy, try a different one.