| Imagine not being able to speak. Imagine knowing | | | | speak? They could tell you what hurt and if they |
| information and not being able to share it or | | | | were upset. What a wonderful thing. But there |
| hurting and not being able to tell anyone where. | | | | was still something missing. |
| These are some of the reasons communication is | | | | One day you offered your child macaroni and |
| so critical to everyone. | | | | cheese. They were not happy. They pitched a |
| Now complicate the inability to communicate with | | | | tantrum. You have no idea why. Unknown to you |
| uncomfortable. Think of the uncomfortable | | | | and me your child wanted steak. They really, |
| scratching of the clothes on your body. Do you | | | | really wanted steak. Your child with Autism did |
| balance your body on the hard surface of a chair? | | | | not have the words to say that even though |
| What if you did not understand how to shift to | | | | they loved macaroni and cheese, today they |
| relieve the pressure? | | | | wanted steak. How frustrating. |
| Now think of sounds. Do you hear the soft hiss | | | | Even when our children have words, they need to |
| of a heater or the whisper of a fan? Some | | | | be taught to truly communicate with those words. |
| children with Autism hear the same hiss as a | | | | Even though behavior is a form of communication |
| deafening spitting sound or the fan as a booming | | | | we are not giving our child all the tools if they do |
| chugging sound. Those sounds and others cause | | | | not use words in some manner. It might be |
| pain and disorientation. | | | | spoken word, signed words, communication |
| Now think of what it would be like if some how, | | | | boards, communication tools or what ever to |
| some way you could tell someone about this. You | | | | express themselves. |
| could tell them what hurt or what was loud. You | | | | From these forms of communication we can go |
| could tell them you were scared you would fall | | | | on to other communication skills. One of those is |
| off that chair. What a relief. This is part of the | | | | being polite in conversation, another one is making |
| reasons communication in any shape, fashion, or | | | | small talk, and still another one is making |
| form is so important to a child with Autism. Not | | | | comparisons. The list can go on. Communication is |
| for ourselves as parents but for them. | | | | so important for so many reasons. |
| Back to the 'what ifs'... What if your child could | | | | |