{"id":359,"date":"2026-02-13T12:10:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T11:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/blog\/mi-hijo-no-habla-por-donde-empezar\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T12:10:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T11:10:28","slug":"my-son-doesnt-speak-where-to-start-without-waiting-for-him-to-just-start-talking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/blog\/my-son-doesnt-speak-where-to-start-without-waiting-for-him-to-just-start-talking\/","title":{"rendered":"My son doesn't speak: where to start (without waiting for him to \"just start talking\")"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">When a child doesn't speak (or speaks very little), the world is filled with hurtful phrases:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cHe\u2019ll talk.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cHe\u2019s lazy.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cDon\u2019t worry, everyone at their own pace.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">And inside you think:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><em style=\"background-color: transparent\">\"What if not?\"<\/em><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><em style=\"background-color: transparent\">\"What if I'm running late?\"<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Breathe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">You're not exaggerating.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">And no, it's not about obsessing over \"getting words out.\" It's about<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">building the foundation<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">so that communication can emerge and be sustained.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Here's a clear guide to get you started.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">First: \u201cnot speaking\u201d does not mean \u201cnot understanding\u201d (but it also doesn\u2019t mean that he understands everything)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">A child can:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">to understand much more than what is expressed,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">only understand routines,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">or understand little if the language reaches them too quickly, too long, or without support.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">That's why the first objective is not \"for him to repeat the grade\".<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">It's about<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">connecting<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">,<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">paying attention<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">,<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">understanding<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">, and<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">having reasons<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">to communicate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Step 1) Ensure shared attention (without attention there is no language)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Shared attention is that moment when you and your child are \"looking at the same thing\" and feeling that you are together.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Mini ideas (2\u20133 minutes, several times a day):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Get down to their level.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Use objects that he likes (not those that he \u201cshould like\u201d).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Use dramatic pauses (silence creates opportunity).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Celebrate the look, the gesture, the approach.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">A sign of real progress:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">He looks at you to \"share\" (not just to ask).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Step 2) Work on imitation (because imitation is the bridge)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Many children with ASD or developmental difficulties have more fragile imitation skills.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">And without imitation, language costs twice as much.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Start with motor imitation (easier):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">applaud<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">hit table<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">head touch<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">push car<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Then it moves on to imitation with objects:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">put in\/take out<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">stack<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">fit<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">And only then, vocal imitation:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">simple sounds (mmm, pa, ta)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">onomatopoeias (moo, woof)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Golden rule:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">First, imitate<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">what he does. Then he'll be open to imitating you.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Step 3) Increase comprehension with 1-step instructions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">If we give 3 instructions in a row, the child gets lost.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Start with a single action, in a real-world context:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\"Give it to me.\"<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cPut it on.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cSit down.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cOpen.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Aids that work:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">gesture + word<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">object in hand<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">signage<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">visual support (pictograms)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Aim:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">that he understands<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">without you repeating it 10 times<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Step 4) Create communication opportunities (without forcing it)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">If everything is provided, the child does not need to communicate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">It's not malice. It's logic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Create safe \u201csmall needs\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Just give him a little snack and wait<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">put a toy in a box that won't open by itself<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Pause the video\/game and wait for a signal.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">And when any attempt appears:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">look<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">gesture<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">sound<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">point out<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">You translate it and turn it into communication:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\"Ah, you want MORE.\"<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cYou want HELP.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cYou want it AGAIN.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Step 5) Teach functional communication (even if it's not with words)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">This is key and sometimes frees the whole family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Communication is not just about talking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">It is being able to say:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">further<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">No<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">aid<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">pause<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">water<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">bathroom<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">again<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">You can start with:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">gestures<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">pictograms<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">simple signs<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">choice between 2 options<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">The important thing is that the child<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">experiences an impact<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">: \"when I communicate, something happens.\"<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Step 6) Coordinate with the school (so that progress is not disrupted)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">If you work on communication at home and at school they just \"expect him to talk\", consistency is lost.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">What to ask the school for (simple and specific):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Step 1 instructions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Visual aids (first\/then, simple schedule).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Limited choice (A or B).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Regulatory pause.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">That reinforce attempts at communication (not just words).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Useful phrase for tutoring:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cWe\u2019re not waiting for perfect words. We\u2019re building functional communication.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Common mistakes (to avoid them without guilt)<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Repeat \u201csay mom\u201d 50 times.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Asking questions nonstop (\u201cwhat is it?\u201d \u201cwhat is it called?\u201d) when there is no basis yet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Give lengthy instructions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Do not leave silences.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Correcting every attempt (kills motivation).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Quick checklist: Where do I start today?<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">5 minutes of shared attention<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">5 minutes of imitation (motor or objects)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">3 one-step instructions in real-life routine<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">3 communication opportunities (pause\/choice\/help)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">1 objective function word (more \/ help \/ pause)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Small, sustained, daily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">If you want a step-by-step guide with activities to work on<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">attention, imitation, comprehension and communication<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">(the basis of language), you can try<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">the VICON Method<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">for 7 days free.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Android:<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.metodovicon.app\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.metodovicon.app\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);\">https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.metodovicon.app<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">iOS:<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/m%C3%A9todo-vicon\/id6479298778\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/m%C3%A9todo-vicon\/id6479298778\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);\">https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/m%C3%A9todo-vicon\/id6479298778<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cuando un ni\u00f1o no habla (o habla muy poquito), el mundo se llena de frases que duelen: \u201cYa hablar\u00e1.\u201d\u201cEs vago.\u201d\u201cNo te preocupes, cada uno a su ritmo.\u201dY t\u00fa por dentro piensas: \u201c\u00bfY si no?\u201d\u201c\u00bfY si estoy llegando\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,60,51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-autismo-y-comunicacion","category-desarrollo-del-lenguaje","category-desarrollo-infantil"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=359"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}