Following the lead

Also called Child-led interaction, Following the child's lead, Responsive interaction, OWL: observe, wait, listen

Talk about what the person is already looking at. It sounds obvious. Most adults do the opposite all day.

What it is

Following the lead means noticing what the person is paying attention to and making that the subject, instead of pulling their attention to your subject. They're staring at the washing machine. You talk about the washing machine. They've picked up a spoon. You talk about spoons, or bang one too.

Adults default to directing: "Look at this." "What's this?" "Come and see." Every one of those is a demand to leave what interests the person and attend to what interests you. For someone with limited language, the words that stick are the words attached to what they already care about.

Who it can help

Children at the earliest stages of language, including late talkers and autistic children building joint attention. It's the core of most parent-led programmes. It also helps adults with dementia or profound and multiple learning disabilities, where entering the person's world is far more productive than trying to drag them into yours.

It isn't a whole approach on its own. A person needs to be led sometimes, and there are things that have to happen whether or not they interest anyone. But the ratio in most homes and classrooms is far too heavily weighted towards directing.

How it works

The sequence taught in most programmes is: observe, wait, listen. Watch what the person does. Wait for them to do something communicative, however small. Then respond to it, in words and, if they use one, on their system.

The response takes the form of a comment, not a question. "That's spinning." "Big splash." "You like that one." If they use symbols, you model the key word on their board as you say it.

Interest is what makes attention, attention is what makes a word memorable, and memorable words get used. That's the mechanism.

Getting started

For ten minutes a day, sit slightly below the person's eye level, say nothing, and watch. Count how long it is before you feel the urge to direct. It'll be under a minute.

Then join in with whatever they're doing, without changing it. Copy them. If they tap, tap. If they line things up, hand them the next one. Add one word.

If they're watching something you find dull, that's fine. The washing machine has taught a lot of children the word "round".

Where to get help

Your health visitor can refer you to a parent-child interaction group; many NHS speech and language therapy services run them. Speech and Language UK has free advice for families on responsive interaction. Afasic supports parents of children with speech and language difficulties. For autistic children, the National Autistic Society explains why following interests works.