Functions of Communication

Understanding the Function of Communication

When we think about communication, we often focus on spoken language – the daily exchange of words and sentences that fills our lives. However, communication serves far deeper and more varied purposes than simply exchanging information. From a baby’s first cry to a CEO’s keynote speech, from a reassuring touch to a warning gesture, communication fulfills fundamental human needs that shape our survival, relationships, and society. These functions of communication are universal across cultures and development stages, though how we express them may differ dramatically. Whether through words, gestures, facial expressions, or assistive technology, understanding these core functions helps us recognize communication in all its forms and support those who may communicate differently. This understanding is particularly crucial for parents, teachers, and healthcare providers working with individuals who have communication challenges.

Key Elements of Effective Communication

Here are three key elements that contribute to effective, functional communication:

• Breaking down skills and making them easy to understand: To ensure successful communication, especially when working with individuals with communication difficulties like autism, it’s crucial to break down skills into smaller, manageable steps. This involves considering the individual’s current abilities and ensuring that the communication method is easy for them to grasp. For example, if using visual aids like PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), the pictures should be clear, and the number of pictures presented at once should be limited to avoid confusion. Additionally, addressing prerequisite skills like fine motor abilities for picking up visuals or visual discrimination for understanding the pictures is important. Providing thicker cards cut into the shape of the item or implementing matching and scanning exercises can be beneficial.
• Pairing communication with reinforcement: A key principle of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), an increasingly controversial therapy for autism, is operant conditioning. This involves pairing the desired behavior, in this case, communication, with reinforcement to create a positive association and encourage the behavior to be repeated. For this to be effective, the reinforcement, such as a favorite snack or activity, must be delivered immediately after the individual attempts to communicate. Delays in providing reinforcement can hinder the learning process. Additionally, using highly motivating reinforcers and ensuring their limited availability outside of communication practice sessions strengthens the association and increases the individual’s motivation to communicate.
• Providing sufficient practice opportunities: Learning and retaining any skill, including communication, requires consistent practice. This is especially important for children with autism who often have developmental delays. Integrating communication practice into various daily activities and routines, beyond structured therapy sessions, is crucial for generalization and mastery of skills. Intensive ABA programs, which provide over 32 hours a week of intervention, demonstrate the effectiveness of increased practice opportunities in fostering significant progress.

Explaining 14 Functions of Behaviour

Function of Communication	Explanation	Examples
Request (Mand)	Expresses a desire for an object, action, or assistance, often to meet basic needs or preferences. Essential in early communication and helps create independence.	Reaching toward a preferred item and looking at an adult, using AAC to say “cookie,” pulling an adult to a desired location, signing “more,” saying “help” or gesturing toward an activity like going outside.
Request Comfort	Communicates a need for emotional support, reassurance, or physical comfort, often important for managing anxiety or overstimulation.	Saying “hug” or “stay with me,” pulling someone closer, pointing to a preferred comfort item like a blanket, making eye contact while distressed, using an AAC button for “calm.”
Indicate Sensory Needs	Communicates a need for or reaction to sensory experiences, which is especially important for individuals with sensory sensitivities.	Pointing to a sensory toy, covering ears to indicate noise discomfort, using hand-over-ear gestures, saying “too loud,” or leading someone to a dimmer area when overstimulated by bright lights.
Request to End Activity	Signals a desire to end or take a break from an activity, supporting self-regulation and managing sensory or social fatigue.	Signing or saying “all done,” pushing away a puzzle or turning away, using AAC for “finished,” pointing to a quiet space to signal a need to rest or retreat, tapping on a timer when ready for the next task.
Gain Attention	Aims to capture another’s attention to initiate interaction or ensure focus, which can be challenging but important for connection.	Tapping someone’s shoulder, saying “look!” or pointing, vocalizing more loudly, signing “excuse me,” making direct eye contact, raising an object to show it.
Refuse / Reject	Asserts boundaries by refusing objects, actions, or interactions. Key for autonomy, especially for those who may feel overwhelmed or overstimulated.	Pushing food away, signing “no” or turning body away, shaking head, using words like “don’t want” or “stop,” giving a distancing gesture.
Make a Choice	Indicates a preference between options, allowing for self-expression and choice-making in daily interactions.	Pointing to one of two toys, selecting a food item on an AAC device, saying “that one,” pushing away one option to choose another, nodding in preference for one activity.
Seek Information	Shows a need for information, particularly around predictability, which helps individuals with ASD anticipate and prepare for situations.	Asking “What’s next?” or “When?”, pointing to a schedule card for an upcoming activity, using AAC to ask “where?” or “who?”, looking expectantly at a caregiver for cues, or showing a questioning expression.
Provide Information	Communicates known details to the listener, leading to sharing and engagement. May include reporting recent experiences or answering questions.	Saying “I played at the park,” using AAC to say “I’m happy,” pointing to oneself and saying “me” when asked who drew a picture, showing someone a completed task.
Comment	Observe and share observations about the environment, enhancing social connections and joint attention.	Pointing to a bird and vocalizing, saying “big truck” while looking at it, clapping hands and smiling to share excitement, holding up an interesting object to show someone.
Express Feelings	Conveys emotional or physical states, important for self-awareness and emotional regulation, especially in moments of stress or excitement.	Using an AAC icon for “happy,” saying “I’m mad” or “My head hurts,” putting someone’s hand on a body part that hurts, facial expressions showing happiness, signing “tired” or “sad.”
Express Needs through Non-verbal Cues	Uses gestures, facial expressions, or body language to communicate needs or responses, which is especially helpful for pre-verbal or non-verbal individuals.	Pointing to mouth when hungry, reaching for a preferred item without speaking, vocalizing softly when wanting comfort, raising arms to be picked up, tapping a person’s arm for attention.
Indicate Physical State	Communicates needs related to bodily functions or discomfort, crucial for non-verbal or pre-verbal children to convey internal states.	Pointing to the bathroom, holding stomach to show discomfort, using AAC or sign for “thirsty” or “tired,” putting hand on head to indicate a headache, crying when in physical pain.
Request Assistance	Seeks help with a task or activity that may be difficult to complete independently, createing a sense of collaboration and problem-solving.	Reaching for a toy on a high shelf, handing someone a piece of a puzzle they can’t fit, saying “help me” or “open this,” gesturing toward a stuck zipper or button.

The Profound Impact of Communication Difficulties

The sources highlight the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals with communication difficulties, painting a picture that goes beyond mere inconvenience and reveals a profound impact on their lives.

• Social Isolation and Frustration: When an individual struggles to express their thoughts, feelings, needs, and desires effectively, it can lead to social isolation and frustration. They may find it difficult to build and maintain relationships, participate in conversations, or engage in social activities. The inability to communicate can also lead to feelings of being misunderstood, unheard, and devalued.
• Limited Access to Opportunities: Communication difficulties can act as a barrier to accessing education, employment, and community participation. In educational settings, students with communication impairments may struggle to keep up with their peers, participate in classroom discussions, or complete assignments. This can affect their academic performance and limit their future opportunities. Similarly, in the workplace, communication challenges can hinder job performance, limit career advancement, and create difficulties in social interactions with colleagues.
• Impact on Daily Living: Simple everyday tasks that many take for granted, like ordering food, asking for directions, or engaging in casual conversations, can become overwhelming challenges for individuals with communication difficulties. This can lead to a sense of dependence on others and a loss of autonomy.
• Emotional Distress and Mental Health: The constant struggle to communicate can take a toll on an individual’s emotional well-being. Feelings of frustration, anxiety, and low self-esteem are common. The social isolation and limited opportunities associated with communication difficulties can further contribute to mental health issues.
• Increased Risk of Misunderstandings and Conflicts: Misinterpretations and communication breakdowns can lead to conflicts in personal relationships, social interactions, and even professional settings. This can further strain relationships and create a sense of isolation.
• Impact on Families and Caregivers: The challenges of communication difficulties extend beyond the individual and can significantly impact families and caregivers. They may face emotional stress, financial burdens, and time constraints in supporting their loved one’s communication needs.
• Need for Ongoing Support and Advocacy: Individuals with communication difficulties often require ongoing support from SLPs, educators, families, and communities. Advocacy is also crucial to ensure that they have access to appropriate services, resources, and accommodations to overcome communication barriers and fully participate in society.

Supporting Different Forms of Communication

Many of the children I have worked with in my career have very limited expressive spoken language. To be successful in working with them I have learnt to value all communicative attempts. It’s essential for human connection to understand that communication takes many forms beyond spoken language.

Each individual may have a preferred way of expressing themselves, and recognizing these diverse methods is key to developing effective interactions. Here are some of the primary forms through which communication functions can be achieved:

• Verbal Speech: Spoken language is a direct way to convey thoughts, feelings, and needs. For some, verbal speech is the primary mode, while for others, it may be challenging or require support.
• Sign Language: Using hand signs and movements, sign language provides a robust communication option for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who find speech processing difficult. It enables direct expression and, with consistent use, becomes a reliable mode of communication.
• Gestures and Body Language: Non-verbal gestures like pointing, waving, or reaching toward objects can communicate needs and emotions. Body language, such as posture or hand movements, adds context and emotional nuance, supporting interaction even without words.
• Visual Supports: Visual aids like picture cards, symbols, and schedules help reinforce communication by providing clear, consistent cues. These are especially helpful for individuals with autism, as visuals are often easier to process than spoken language.
• Written Communication: Writing or typing allows for detailed expression and is useful for individuals who are more comfortable with visual processing. It can also aid those with speech difficulties, enabling them to convey complex thoughts effectively.
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices: Devices like tablets with speech-generating applications or dedicated communication boards provide a voice for those with limited verbal abilities. AAC tools empower individuals to select words, phrases, or symbols that express their needs and desires.
• Facial Expressions: Smiling, frowning, or raising eyebrows all convey feelings and reactions. Facial expressions can significantly enhance spoken or signed communication by adding emotional context.
• Vocalizations: For those who are pre-verbal or non-verbal, sounds, hums, or other vocalizations can signal a need, emotion, or response. With careful observation, these vocal cues can reveal patterns that parents or communication partners can respond to.

Incorporating and supporting these diverse forms of communication allows individuals to communicate in ways that are most effective and comfortable for them. It also ensures that communication can happen in multiple settings, enabling greater independence and a more inclusive interaction experience. If you can communicate in a classroom but not Mcdonalds then we need to work on it more!

Conclusion

Understanding the functions of communication helps us move beyond a narrow focus on speech to recognize and support all forms of human connection. This broader perspective is essential for creating inclusive environments where everyone’s communication is valued and supported. Whether working with typically developing children or individuals with communication challenges, focusing on these core functions helps us better support meaningful communication development and successful social interaction.