How are behavior and communication linked?
When a child has limited or no verbal communication skills, they may become easily frustrated from the lack of ability to communicate their wants and needs. For example, if a child is thirsty and does not have the words to ask for a drink, they may scream and/or throw things because of the inability to request the drink. This can lead to a feeling of helplessness for the parent or teacher, as they often do not always know what the child is trying to communicate. As the child develops and learns better ways to communicate (i.e., they are taught to use sign language, pictures, or words), they will likely become less easily frustrated, and use meaningful communication instead of screaming and/or throwing to get their needs met.
