A Breakthrough in Communication

Here I sit on a sunny winter’s day. My little boy is looking right into my eyes as I read him a book. He’s pointing to every word, eagerly waiting for me to turn to the page where I roar like a lion… and there it is—that huge smile on his face, the pure joy of our interaction.

I never imagined this day would finally come. Some parents might never fully appreciate the power of a simple point until you’ve waited five long years for it to happen.

Communication is the foundation of all language, but when you reach age five and those words still feel trapped inside… it’s heartbreaking to wonder if real conversations will ever happen.

From day one, I’ve been on a reading marathon—devouring books, taking courses, sitting in on every speech therapy and occupational therapy session, trying to learn and replicate everything at home. My list as “the mother who won’t give up” is endless, and it keeps growing. I’m sure so many of you can relate.

Today, I’m writing because, out of all the research rabbit holes and mazes I’ve gotten lost in—thinking I’d found the perfect path forward so many times—I unfortunately overlooked one of the most important pieces of the puzzle for parents of nonverbal children.

Here I am, feeling like I’m going back to square one, starting from the beginning again. But as they say, it’s never too late.

That missing piece? The huge role parents play in their child’s development. We rush to get professional help for our child (which is essential!), but what I missed was educating myself on how to truly play and interact with my nonverbal child in ways that build self-esteem, encourage interaction, boost social awareness, and—most importantly—unlock communication, which has finally led to those precious first words.

In typical development, all of this happens naturally and fluidly as your child responds to everything you do. But when there’s so much your child wants to say or ask, and no reply comes… it changes everything. Many car rides are spent in silence, or on good days, we get some humming that I recognize as his favorite song.

What I’m learning now is that it’s all about play. Every day presents countless opportunities to support our children when we simply slow down and bring out our own inner child. Of course, this means adjusting your daily routine, but as you learn these techniques, you’ll realize that the foundation of your child’s development happens right at home, with your consistent support.

For parents just starting this incredible journey with autism… please, prioritize learning these skills early.

Start by reading “It Takes Two to Talk: A Practical Guide for Parents of Children with Language Delays” by Elaine Weitzman (from The Hanen Centre). Or research the Hanen approach—it’s a parent-focused program that teaches responsive strategies to turn everyday moments into language-building opportunities.

I’m not usually one to promote specific resources, but if I can share one simple thing that’s making a real difference for us… this is it.

“The lion roars!” And we get that big, beautiful smile.

He points over and over to the same page, waiting for my reaction.

Finally, I look into his eyes, and he says… “lion.”

These moments are everything. If you’re on this path, know you’re not alone—and there is hope, progress, and joy ahead.