Teaching Communication Beyond Words
From Teaching Autism and Special Education by Nikki by Teaching Autism
March 13, 2026 · 10 min · Season 2
About this episode
This episode discusses the importance of teaching communication beyond spoken language for non-verbal and minimally verbal students.
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki , we’re talking about communication, and not just speech. Because every student communicates. Not every student uses words. And that doesn’t make their communication any less valid. This episode is all about teaching communication beyond words... supporting non-verbal and minimally verbal students through AAC, visuals, gestures, body language, and modeling. Because communication is connection, and every child deserves to be heard in the way that works for them. In this episode, we talk about: Why communication is more than spoken language What counts as communication (spoiler: a lot more than people think) Why speech shouldn’t be the only goal The pressure students feel when communication doesn’t feel safe What a total communication environment actually looks like How to support communication using gestures, visuals, signs, and AAC together Why AAC gives access to language, not dependence The importance of modeling AAC all day, not just during “speech time” How body language is often the first form of communication Why visuals reduce anxiety and increase understanding The power of modeling over prompting Why…
People in this episode
Host: Nikki
Topics covered
- communication
- non-verbal communication
- AAC
- visuals
- gestures
- body language
- modeling
Keywords
- total communication environment
- anxiety reduction
- understanding
- communication attempts
Mentioned in this episode
Products: AAC tools, visual supports
Books & works: Teaching Autism & Special Education
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