My goal is to start with the child's strengths. Sometimes that looks like imitating gestures, in other children who have sounds we begin to shape those sounds into syllables as new sounds are introduced. We need to make sure that the child has a functional form of communication as verbal language is built. I utilize tactile cues to facilitate sound sequences and give the families core sets or words to practice in functional ways (if a working with a child 2 or under) and in more structured activities for older children. Parents are taught basic facilitative techniques.