How do you encourage communication with your child?

I know, I said I was going to get better and posting more often. I've had a lot of evals lately so they have to take priority. :)

Here is a great article with 17 different ideas for you to try when working on communication with your child. This article is from the Friendship Circle, a resource for families with children who have special needs. They have lots of good things on their site, you should check them out. 

17 Ways to Encourage Communication With Your Special Needs Child.

You might like this one too:
23 Ways to Communicate With a Non-Verbal Child

I was just talking to a parent about communication and non-verbal children. One thing I mentioned was that kids may not have words but I haven't met one yet who isn't trying to tell you something. They use eye gaze, pointing, grunting, pulling you by the hand, body language, pauses, jabbering, gestures, and so many more. 

We just have to teach ourselves to tune into what they are telling us. The more we respond to their non-verbal communication the more they begin to understand that they are getting their point across and start to associate that with words. Usually kids don't talk because they don't need to, physically can't, or just don't see the point.