How did I not know this!!

The Realization

If you don’t know, you don’t know…

Trying to Communicate

I always asked Johnny how his day was after school, even though he was nonverbal. I hoped for an answer someday.

Discovering a Breakthrough

After years of asking and getting no response, I simply added the words YES or NO. I then got my answers—he either screamed YESSS or NOOO (he can be dramatic).

A New World of Communication

This opened up a whole new world for me and Johnny to communicate. I get an answer now, sometimes without actually having to give the Yes/No option.

Learning from Temple Grandin

It was like the time before that when he was really in his own world and wouldn’t respond to his name. I remember reading a Temple Grandin book where she explained it perfectly: “My parents used to call my name and I heard them, but didn’t respond because they didn’t say what they were calling me for.”

Changing How We Communicate

From then on, I never just called his name. It was always Johnny coat, Johnny shoes, Johnny dinner, etc. It makes perfect sense now, and I’m grateful for those little things that make our day easier.