DDX3X
Advice, resources and practical strategies for parents and carers of children and young people with DDX3X
COMMUNICATION
Communication is an important part of everyone's lives. It allows us to express our thoughts, emotions, and ideas, build relationships with others, develop problem-solving skills, self-advocacy and increase self-confidence. There are various ways to communicate, such as words, body language, facial expressions, signing, pointing, symbols, text-to-speech/speech-to-text, and many more.
Children with DDX3X may experience communication difficulties and may need adults to adapt their communication and interaction styles to support communication. Please ask your paediatrician for a referral to Speech and Language Therapy if you need support.
Gestalt language processing
Gestalt language processing is a way that some children learn language. It starts with memorised phrases. These scripts, or gestalts, are often memorised from movies, videos and things overheard.
Here is a video that you may find helpful to better understand what Gestalt language processing is in case your child is a Gestalt language processor.
Top tips for supporting Gestalt language processors
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust proposes five top tips to support your child who may be a Gestalt language processor:
- Follow your child's lead: This step involves observing your child's actions and how they play and explore. You can then spend time with your child by mimicking their play.
- Respond to all language your child uses: Your child's early language, even if it's just strings of sounds, has meaning for them. Encourage their communication by responding to everything they say, even if it's unclear. Use phrases like "oh," "I know," "yeah," or "uh-uh," and try to mimic their sounds to show you're listening and engaged.
- Try to figure out what your child's echolalia means for them: Your child may imitate language from TV shows, songs, or films. Try to watch these with your child to understand the meaning behind the language they use.
- Model language for a range of reasons and reduce your questions: It is important to expose your child to versatile language by modelling short, useful phrases. For example, use "I don't want to" or "not that one" to express refusal, and "let's get..." to help with requests. Limit questions, as your child may not yet have the language skills to answer and might simply repeat the question.
- Silence: Count to ten after you have modelled your child's language. Give them time to process and respond to what you have said.
Strategies to support communication
Emily Price is a speech and language therapist who provides some useful communication strategies on her website Neurodivergent-Affirming SLT
Some of these strategies include:
- Slow down your rate of speech and talk slower to help support your child's language processing and executive functioning difficulties.
- Avoid multi-part questions. Ask one at a time and wait for a response. Give PLENTY of processing time.
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Say your child's name to gain their attention before you start talking to them.
Intensive Interaction
Intensive Interaction is an approach to communication that allows us to engage and interact with people who may have difficulty verbally communicating or are at an early level of communication and social skill development. This approach focuses on teaching and developing the fundamentals of communication in a fun and natural way. It requires you to observe closely how your child responds to different situations through their body language, voice, and facial expressions, and to respond to these cues. It is a two-way interaction that enables both the individual and the communication partner to connect and enjoy each other's company.
For more information here is a link to the Intensive Interaction Institute click here. Phoebe Caldwell developed Intensive Interaction and for her website click here.
Here is a video on intensive interaction that you may find helpful: