It can be overwhelming when your child screams to communicate what they want, but it’s important to remember that this behavior usually comes from a place of frustration or limited communication skills. Screaming is often a sign that your child is trying to express a need but doesn’t yet have a more appropriate or effective way to do so.

At our clinic, we work on replacing screaming with functional communication, using tools like gestures, picture exchange systems (PECS), sign language, or spoken words—depending on what works best for the child.

The first step is identifying what your child typically screams for, whether it’s a snack, a toy, or attention, and then teaching them how to request it in a more acceptable way. For example, if your child screams when they want a drink, we might begin by prompting them to hand over a picture of the drink or say a simple word like “juice” before giving it to them.

It’s crucial to only provide access to what they want after they attempt the appropriate communication and to calmly withhold it when screaming occurs. This teaches them that screaming no longer works, but calm, intentional communication does. Staying consistent is key—everyone in the child’s life should respond to screaming the same way and encourage the replacement behavior.

It also helps to model calm communication throughout the day and celebrate any attempts your child makes to express themselves more clearly. While it can take time, your child can learn to use more effective communication strategies with the right guidance and support. Our team is here to help families reduce challenging behaviors like screaming and build meaningful skills that improve daily life for everyone.