Major focus area

Speech Therapy -> Expressive Language

Short description

Declarative language is an ideal communication style for neurodivergent children. Declarative language allows children the opportunity to engage critical thinking, problem solving, and perspective taking.

Long description

Declarative language is an ideal communication style for neurodivergent children. It is the opposite of imperative language. Whereas imperative language (such as commands and questions) requires a response from the child, declarative language (such as comments) does not. An example of an imperative statement would be “clean up” and an example of a declarative statement would be “it looks like everyone is starting to clean up.” Imperative language can lead to anxiety and dysregulation in children (often seen in a fight/flight/freeze response). Declarative language allows children the opportunity to engage critical thinking, problem solving, and perspective taking. For example, when saying “it looks like everyone is cleaning up,” you are indirectly cueing the child to check in with their environment and determine what they should do next. If you say “clean up,” you are simply telling the child what to do, but not why they might want to do it. Linda K. Murphy MS, CCC-SLP developed declarative language and more information can be found in her book, The Declarative Language Handbook.