Being misunderstood can feel exhausting, especially when a child is already using a great deal of effort to speak, sign, point, type or use AAC. Communication repair is not about making a child perform more clearly. It is a shared plan that helps the child and communication partner try another route when the first message does not land.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association encourages adults to respond to communication attempts, stay patient and invite a child to show what they mean. ASHA also explains that AAC can include gestures, pictures, writing and devices. Speech is only one valid option.
Build a small repair toolkit
Choose two or three strategies your child can access under pressure. These might be a card or AAC button for “not that,” “show me,” “I’ll try again” or “give me time”; pointing to an object or photo; drawing; typing a key word; or asking a trusted person to help. Keep the tools available across home, school and outings.
Teach the adult’s part too
When you do not understand, avoid rapid guessing or repeated demands to “use your words.” Try: “I want to understand. Take your time.” Then offer one neutral choice: “Can you show me, point, or try another way?” Pause long enough for processing. If you guess, make it easy to reject: “Do you mean water? You can say no.”
Practise when everyone is calm
Create playful mix-ups with familiar objects. Deliberately choose the wrong toy, then model “not that” and repair the message together. Celebrate the successful connection rather than perfect speech. A repair may be a head shake, a picture, a gesture or walking you to the item.
Share the same short plan with teachers and relatives. You may also find AutDHD’s guides on communication processing time and AAC at home helpful.
This is general information shared for parent awareness, not medical advice. Every child is different — please confirm decisions with your child’s doctor or a suitably qualified professional.