How do you support your non verbal child academically?

[Goldandguns]

Posting here for a bit of traffic. Those with non verbal DC, how do you go about teaching them prior to having access to SALT or SEN schooling? Particularly interested if homeschooling, but also keen to hear from those whose children attend mainstream schools with additional support.
TIA :)

When ds was pre school age I couldn't engage him to do anything academic. He has ASD. We worked on the first step of language which is joint attention, turn taking and waiting for him to respond before we moved on.

I am a teacher, not an SEN parent, so I bow to the wisdom of others.
I am assuming from your post that they are preschool? So 3 or 4?

You need to think about something you want to learn, it is hard to know from your post what level you are at. Maybe getting them to ask for something. Then break that down into the smallest steps you can think of. So, ask to play with the train.
Are you using any sort of sign language?
The steps to that goal might look something like:

1. recognise the word train when you say it and sign it
2. go to the train when you say it and sign it

3 bring you the train when you say it and sign it 4 make the sign for train.

Then work on each step one by one.

Using picture cards to represent the day, with simple pictures on. Start with a few and gradually add on more.
Use these to structure the day, cards might be
food
nap/bed
car (for when you need to go out)
play /toys
bath

Then have a place where you put/stick the cards, so you have now and next
food and bed
and point to them and say them, using now and next. So, NOW we aree havign food, NEXT it will be naptime.
They gradually get used to the idea that the cards are showing now and next, you build up the cards, so you might add shop, Nanna's house, park etc etc
eventually do this as a book with velcro on the front, with space for about 4 cards, and the cards you use inside.
They can then also chose and card and give it to you, so they may ask for somethingusing the book.

Hi OP,
My youngest is 4 (5 in Jan) and has very little verbal communication.

He is at special school and diagnosed ASD.

I had heard the term Portage but I didn't know what it was. I think it would be interesting for you to look at.

What I found helpful was the idea of engaging and scaffolding what my son would like to do rather than trying to get him to do what I would like him to do (which only leads to frustration for us both) .

The video on this page of Harry is a good example I think
www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/children-and-young-people/portage

And further info
www.portage.org.uk/

It is described as a preschool service but for Children with special needs I think the skills would help parents beyond preschool.

I wouldn't worry about "academic" as such. All learning/interaction/communication is a win.

We quite often use one of these magnetic writing boards (we've not got this specific one). Maybe to draw a smiley face, a spider, zig zag whatever or I draw dots and help him trace his name or a three letter word for example. It's a good tool for shared attention and I think he is more willing than using paper as he can wipe away mistakes.

Hanen More than Words book / programme and I went on a PECS course with pyramid. This is basically the same training a SLT or special school will go on. Pyramid used to offer grants if you were on low income. Cerebra charity has a free postal lending library with masses of books. A lot of areas have SLT/portage/Sen teacher drop ins at childrens centres. I think Caudwell Children now offer online parent training workshops online