A child with hearing loss may have delays in communication skills, which can lead to behavioral issues at home and school. As a child ages, behaviors that are not age appropriate may impact a child’s learning or the learning environment of others in their educational setting.

Florida’s Clarke teachers and therapists have implemented these six strategies in the classroom or therapy setting to foster a child’s communication, independence and self-regulation skills: 

1. Create a daily schedule to set a child’s expectations for the day. Use pictures, written words or any other representations that are significant to the child. 
2. Within the daily schedule, create smaller lists that outline the tasks for a lesson or activity. Involve the child in making the list and allow the child to mark items off the list when completed.  
3. Use a visual timer and priming language to help prepare the child for changes and transitions.  
4. Have the child choose an item (e.g. toy or reward) that they are working for throughout the lesson. Remind the child frequently that they are working for the item or activity chosen. 
5. Talk about emotions. Use social stories to teach the child about emotions and calming strategies. Read the social stories over and over again during times when the child is calm. Act out scenarios and the calming tools and strategies that will be most helpful in those moments.  
6. Give the child a unique job to fulfill in the classroom or speech room to provide a feeling of success. A child’s job could be watering a plant each day, sharpening pencils or turning off the lights. If a particular transition is difficult, use this opportunity to have the child complete the fun, motivating job.  

Angie Pardee, M.S., CCC-SLP, LSLS, Cert. AVEd. 

Alisa Demico, M.S., CCC-SLP, LSLS, Cert. AVT