When our son was 2 yrs old, he was verbal in that he could say over 200 words. But all of these were labels and for communication he didn't use any of these words - he would grab your hand and point. His speech was echolalic. We started verbal behaviour as well as speech therapy to get him to request and communicate using words. It was very effective. He can speak in sentences now and echolalia is long gone. Verbal behaviour is one way to implement ABA and I would recommend that.

My child is still non-verbal at 7 years old. She was talking at 1-2years old but lost her speech over time. She was headbanging and some more stuff. So, ABA, speech and OT all helped with behavior. However, speech never returned so she is learning sign language and how to use iPad as communication device. We also communicate nonverbally. She uses facial expressions and body movements so we know that she understands us. I do look forward to the day we can just talk even if that means with an ipad, aac device, laptop or her voice.

ABA is a therapy and stands for Applied Behavioral Analysis. Many ABA therapists work at schools, but you can have someone come over to the house as well.

How old is she? That's already better than how my little one was a year ago. He's now 3, and has been receiving speech, ABA, OT, therapies 5 days a week for about 6 months. He used to do exactly what you described; pushing or guiding us to get what he wanted. ABA really helped him pay attention to his speech therapy. He now talks at us and to us, although he still has a long way to go.

If your child is not comfortable speaking, LOOK FOR ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION METHODS. While speech should always be an ongoing project and should never be given up as a target, there should never be a shut-out of other options.

Many who have trouble speaking do very well with communication boards/PECS, and especially keyboarding.

If you listen to those who are minimally or non-verbal adults, this is what they tell you... speech garbles and scrambles. Words come out that don't link to what they're thinking.

Using a different pathway through the brain... pictures,signing, and/or text... frees them to say what they intend.