Auditory Comprehension Part 2 - How can I get my child to listen to me?
Patti Hamaguchi, MA, CCC-SLP
Children with auditory comprehension weaknesses often “tune out”, get confused, or forget what is said. This can be challenging, frustrating, and on some days downright maddening! So what can you do? Here are some simple tips:
Work on transitions. Many times, we start talking to a child while they are actively involved in another activity, such as watching TV, doing a puzzle, etc. Children with slow auditory processing often have slow “rise times” (ability to alert and shift focus, process). Say your child’s name, wait, then say, “It’s time to listen” and give your child a 5-finger count, rising each finger, one at a time, while you count slowly: 1-2-3-4-5. Practice this, and reward your child—sticker/star charts work great for this, for stopping and looking at you (even if it’s a quick glance) within this timeframe. After they can make this transition, it’s a good time to start talking.
Get closer! Speech is easier to understand, and attention is easier to get and maintain, when the acoustic signal is closer to the ear. Make sure you are at eye level, and move so your child can easily see and attend to you. A maximum of about 2-3 feet away is perfect.
Write and draw: For important directions, keep blank paper and markers handy at all times. Make a quick sketch, with words underneath to show your child what you want him/her to do. Tape/clip it so it is easily visible. If possible, it’s even better to have your child do a part of it, as it will be more easily remembered. Visual, visual, visual! Children with weak auditory systems are often much stronger with visual skills, so if this is the case, use those strengths! If several steps are involved, number them 1-2-3.
Break it down and keep it short: One direction orally at a time is best. Too much information can be overwhelming and result in a shutdown or inattention. Keep your language simpler and shorter.
Slow down your rate: We know from research that children process language better when the pace and rate of speech is SLOWED down. Not in a way that sounds like a record on the wrong speed, but a slower, comfortable rate so the words have time to be processed. This is very, very important! Use expression and good volume so your child is easily engaged with the listening process.
Use language he/she can understand. One of the biggest challenges parents can face—especially highly educated and verbal adults—is to watch the use of idiomatic expressions that can be confusing (“Mind your beeswax!”) or vocabulary terms that are unknown to the child. (“It doesn’t pertain to you, Joe!”) Typically developing children can easily use contextual cues to figure out what the parent is saying, including the tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. But for children with weak auditory systems, many times there are weaknesses in this area as well and so their ability to figure out what you are trying to say is further compromised because integrating all this information at once can be a challenge.
Limit background noise: In many cases, auditory discrimination and figure-ground difficulties add to their listening challenges. Make a point to mute the TV, turn off the fan/faucet, and turn down the radio in the car, and other noise distractions, when you want to talk with our child.