Is this the start of more meaningful communication?

[Ninks]

(I am Mists btw, back to my original name for X-Factor!)

I remember the ASD-trained SALT saying that a main and major purpose of communication is to say what you don't like or want before even saying what you do need.

All of us missed that one when we were asked why humans communicate. It's true isn't it that NT children tend to use "no" before yes.

Anyway, DS (3.5) has been using the phrase, no, not a (whatever we suggest) for a few days now and we're really pleased.

No not a sleep.

No not a nursey rhymes.

No not a nappy change.

No not a Humpty Dumpty.

Now to work on "yes"

I remember reading somewhere not asking a question that requires a yes/no answer.

So for example "do you want a drink" and the answer is either yes/no.

You would ask "do you want orange or blackcurrant"

Transferred to your difficulty, "shall we sing humpty dumpty or baa baa black sheep" do you think that might help?

Sorry read that too quick, i thought your ds saying no to everything was a problem!

No worries, I try to not interrogate him generally but to describe things instead. His negativity is all his own work

He also now says, "broken", "stuck" and "not working" rather than the ear-piercing SHRIIIIIEEEEEK we have been dealing with so the negative statements are quite welcome!

LOL. I know they say not to interogate but I do it all the time and I don't believe it has been detrimental.

Sometimes ds says 'no, don't want to do what did you do at school', but I just persist and he eventually gives in -

But anyway, in answer to your OP, I don't really know what the order is. I'm a bit inclined to not say how progress should or shouldn't happen if I'm honest as this seems to be my biggest battle with the 'professionals', - i.e. assumptions about how ds learns. So see this step as the progress it most certainly is and as part of filling in the missing gaps and think about how to extend it, but don't get too hung up on any official next steps, just the next steps that seem logical to how you know he learns iyswim.

Could you develop his sense of humour by saying something is a banana, so he can say no, but encourage him to say what it is?

That's a good idea Stark, thanks

make use of the ecolalia and say yes a lot.... although seriousl I find that ds tends to repeat phrases he's heard around him, (fix it = Nanas house, dinosaur= dp) Actually seriously I read somewhere that kids with autism have a lot more trouble with yes than no, ds is verbal but we still don't have a yes very often

excuse the spelling and wording tired

Ah no worries, I'm the same, isn't easy is it?

Yes it is echolalia, in a way it is great that he is doing it immediately with what we are saying rather than waking up at 3 a.m and repeating a song or rhyme he has heard hours ago that day.

He is also imitating much more now.

DH was asleep, DD was at a friend's house and I needed my mooncup suddenly so I er, went into the sheltered toy corner of the sitting room and sorted it out. Next thing I knew, DS was squatting there with his trousers down

Thank you

I hoped it was a breakthrough. It is certainly a stage of communication which I recognise even though it's something I would have expected at 18 months or so.

You forget these steps I think when the stages pass and you get consumed with whether to use Makaton or PECS and the infernal now / next boards.