The difference a single word can make: using OK as a physical sign and via AAC.

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Using the Word OK

indicating you've understood

One pervasive theme with nonverbal autistic children is the disconnect they face with the rest of the world. When speech is such a huge barrier, it isn't easy to show the child that conversations are interactive. It often feels like 2 one way streets that are next to each other. One amazingly effective way we've found to draw TT into conversations a bit more is through the continual use of the physical sign for "OK", as well as the button on her talker that says it out loud.

Now when TT tells me she wants something via the talker: I want eat pizza... or I want watch new movie... - instead of just responding to her request, I first give her the "OK" sign to let her know that I've heard her. I understand. What you said got through. I'll think about it, OK? Then the amazing part is that she will then sign back to me, making as best she can a bit of a circle with her own thumb and index finger.

The amazing part of this small exchange is that it make the interaction feel much more like were on the same street rather than 2 parallel ones. She looks me in the eye, and shows me that she understands that I've heard her request. I think it gives her a greater sense of satisfaction than just punching out demands that sometimes go into the abyss, and allows her to gauge instantly what the answer is.

And the answer is not always YES! But when she sees that she has been heard, and that I understand what she has told me, she seems to have an easier time responding to the fact that sometimes the answer is "NO". I try to explain when the answer is NO. Sorry, we don't have any pizza. All done. Want eat chicken? Then we'll usually go through the process again, where she'll tell me what she wants, and I'll tell her OK, then YES, before getting it.

A lot of people have commented on the change in TT's self control and ability to focus in the past 6 months. While some of that may be due to natural maturing, there's no doubt that being able to communicate has rocked her world. But equally important has been her ability to engage in interactive communication, and the better level of comprehension she has of what is going on around her. She doesn't feel like such a spectator anymore. And I think we have AAC, in conjunction with signing, to thank for that.