Paraverbal Communication and Why It Works

Abstract

Paraverbal Communication is a multisensory, interactive method developed to help therapists who work with unresponsive children unable to be reached by traditional means. Briefly, the term paraverbal means parallel with verbal. This means that speech is frequently substituted for by a rich sensorimotor armamentarium of therapeutic materials for interactive communication by the therapist and child. These interactions are known as maneuvers and are used according to the child’s moment-to-moment needs and behavior as observed by the therapist. In other words, basic to Paraverbal Communication is the idea that speech and dialogue, when used in the treatment of the resistant child, are themselves often threatening and inhibit communication.