Teach children ways to express frustration, to refuse something, and to request something.

Each day, include the child’s favorite activities to help adjust the stress level.

When you cannot understand the child, try to take the blame off him or her with statements like "Sometimes I have trouble hearing children" and "Can you think of a different way to say it?" or "Please show me". Always maintain an attitude of wanting to understand. It’s acceptable to say, "Did you say _____?" Remember that pretending to understand may make the child feel that you don’t care!"

Use stress management activities, such as encouragement, praise based on effort, and appropriate physical touch.

When clarifying a child’s communication or to get a response that may be more understandable, try giving a choice, " Do you want ____ or ____?" The answer may be a close enough approximation to one of the choices that you will easily be able to respond as the child has requested.