Developing effective communication for the physically handicapped child involves establishing a communication system which comprises many nonspeech modes as well as intelligible speech. The child can develop communication readiness skills as the parents develop an attachment between parent and child, acknowledge the child's methods of communication other than speech, help the child interact with objects, talk to the child, and give the child opportunities to make choices. Communication systems can be gestural or gestural-assisted in nature. Gestural systems are described as those communication systems in which the sender communicates by motion of body parts. Gestural-assisted systems are described as those systems which require external assistance to communicate; such systems can be non-electronic or electronic. The pamphlet concludes with a list of information sources and manufacturers. (JDD)