Supporting a foster child with communication difficulties

When fostering a child, you might find they may have a different way of communication compared to what you are used to, and how you usually communicate.

A child may have challenges with communicating because they have trust issues or are fearful of abandonment. Alternatively, they may be deaf or hard of hearing, have autism or another disability that impedes this task.

Regardless, here at Beacon Fostering, we seek to support those who are providing foster care services to children with these challenges. Here are some tips for supporting a foster child that struggles with communication.

Conversations

Engage in conversations with your foster child. Starting with asking things such as how they are and their feelings about everyday life. Open questions will encourage them to start and hold deeper conversations; these can range from “What did you learn at school today?” or “What would you like for lunch/dinner/pudding?”.

Play and visual communication

For younger children, role playing and dressing up is an excellent way to teach them about emotions, social interactions and problem solving, preparing them for the wider world.

If your foster child is older, you can use word games such as Scrabble or Bananagrams to increase vocabulary, or show them other games that will encourage teamworking, strategy and pattern spotting, such as Solitaire, Jenga or Monopoly.

Sign language

Using sign language is a way of visually communicating, with many variations around the world and for different kinds of disabilities.

If your child is deaf or hard of hearing, learn about BSL (British Sign Language). Those with communication problems use hand gestures and picture symbols in a system called Makaton. Charities and other organisations can help with learning these kinds of communication.