Non Verbal & Not Feeling Well

Monday I had to pick up Anthony from school because he wasn't feeling well. Let's just say his stomach wasn't cooperating with him. I realized that one of the worst parts of being the parent of an autistic kiddo with limited speech is they don't have the ability to "tell" you how they are feeling. That is so frustrating for me, I can only imagine how frustrating it is for him. It breaks my heart to see him not feeling well and it's even worse when you add frustration.

When I picked up Daniel, he was just starting to act like he didn't feel quite right. Sure enough, a little bit later he had a "stomach" issue also. I was so grateful that by the time they went to bed they both seemed to be feeling better. Having kiddos with autism is challenging, having kiddos with little to no verbal skills is hard, having kiddos with both... let's just say - there are good days and there are bad days.

Due to their lack of verbal skills, working with the boys every day is a must when it comes to trying to get them to talk. Daniel has virtually no language, he's great at "verbal imitation" when he's "on" - or having a good day. Having Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy 5 days a week helps; being in an autistic classroom helps too; and then everyone who walks through the door also tries to get him to talk.

Anthony has more verbal skills than Daniel, but still doesn't carry on any type of conversation (at least not at this point). ABA has helped him with "verbal imitation", and school works on it as well. Like with Daniel, everyone who comes in the house also tries to get him to use his words. The interesting part is getting them to comply and speak. Usually we have to give them some type of motivator, or something to work for. The hard part will be to get them to talk without the motivator.

One of the most heard phrases around our home (other than "look at me") is "use your words". The boys almost seem to roll their eyes when we say that, but they know that we are not going to let them skate by. That's the worst thing we could do. Kiddos on the spectrum must be constantly reminded, or coached, to do what they need to do. At least until it becomes engrained in them. This goes for almost every aspect of their life, at least in our home. Failure to be consistent is a total disservice to them.

From a mother's heart - It's so easy to take speech for granted. Have a conversation with your kiddos, family member and friends today... enjoy whatever form of communication you use.
God Bless!