Preverbal Communication Checklists provide an easy, practical way to informally assess and support early learners with limited or emerging language. This resource helps speech-language pathologists, early interventionists, and special educators identify how a child is communicating before words and plan meaningful next steps.
Rather than focusing only on spoken words, these checklists emphasize functional communication, interaction, and intent, making them ideal for preverbal children, AAC users, and students with significant language delays.
This resource includes:
•A clear description of preverbal communication and what to look for in early communicators
•Informal AAC support ideas to encourage functional communication without overwhelming systems
•Functional “playlist” strategies that pair objects with their communicative purpose
•Practical suggestions to help adults be a good speech model throughout daily routines
•A Bloom & Lahey Form–Content–Use checklist with a printable reference poster
•A first words list with suggested targets for:
existence & non-existence
rejection & recurrence
action & locative action
attribution, possession, state, and notice
•A printable poster: How to Teach a Skill or Behavior
•A printable poster: Communication Is More Than Words
This resource is perfect for early intervention, preschool therapy, AAC learners, and students who are not yet verbal, providing a strengths-based approach to early communication development.
Preverbal Communication Checklists provide an easy, practical way to informally assess and support early learners with limited or emerging language. This resource helps speech-language pathologists, early interventionists, and special educators identify how a child is communicating before words and plan meaningful next steps.
Rather than focusing only on spoken words, these checklists emphasize functional communication, interaction, and intent, making them ideal for preverbal children, AAC users, and students with significant language delays.
This resource includes:
•A clear description of preverbal communication and what to look for in early communicators
•Informal AAC support ideas to encourage functional communication without overwhelming systems
•Functional “playlist” strategies that pair objects with their communicative purpose
•Practical suggestions to help adults be a good speech model throughout daily routines
•A Bloom & Lahey Form–Content–Use checklist with a printable reference poster
•A first words list with suggested targets for:
existence & non-existence
rejection & recurrence
action & locative action
attribution, possession, state, and notice
•A printable poster: How to Teach a Skill or Behavior
•A printable poster: Communication Is More Than Words
This resource is perfect for early intervention, preschool therapy, AAC learners, and students who are not yet verbal, providing a strengths-based approach to early communication development.
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