Overcorrection…#1 Communication Killer in Toddlers with Language Delays

mad boy
It’s such a communication killer when an adult corrects every single word attempt out of a child’s mouth. I’ve done it as a therapist. I’ve done it as a mom. I’ve watched other therapists and other moms do it too. Let’s stop.

 

If you haven’t recognized it yet, there are behavioral consequences we suffer when we overcorrect. A child may avoid and shut down, which means we’ll have to work harder to soothe him and woo him back to us.

 

A child may try to run away and escape, which means we’ll have to work harder to help him calm down and bring him back to us.

 

A child may be so sensitive (and smart!) that he becomes tentative, even fearful of talking, when there’s continual overcorrection. He senses it’s coming and he wants no part of it.

 

Yikes!

 

How to Stop Overcorrection

 

In case I haven’t said this yet, or in case you haven’t read this yet, we must offer our cues and feedback with a huge dose of warm, loving support and encouragement. Talking is hard for them. Meet them where they are in kindness and with reassurance that you are there to help and you think they are wonderful, regardless of how they can or can’t say the last word or the next word or the next ten words…

 

By sticking to cueing only target words during sessions or for home practice, you leave room for a child to breathe. And for his little system to have time to reset and reorganize. If you think I’ve gone all mushy on you, this is science. The process is called neuroplasticity and it’s what all our brains have the capacity to do whenever we’ve presented with something new: grow and learn.

 

From The Apraxia Workbook 2

 

It’s good advice, even for kids who don’t have apraxia!!

 

Laura

teachmetotalk.com

 

 

Don’t think overcorrection is problematic? The Bible even warns us about it in Colossians 3:21!

 

 

 

 

 

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