A mother recently came to me looking for help to get her minimally verbal child talking. Her daughter can point or gesture for what she wanted, and occasionally would vocalize when it was absolutely necessary – like when she was desperate for her favorite chocolate milk. But that was only 50% of the time. The rest? Silence, coupled with hand-leading and frustrated gestures. So, why wasn’t she talking more often? As our conversation unfolded, the real issue came to light: her mother wasn’t requiring speech from her. She didn’t BELIEVE, fully, that her daughter could use vocal language consistently. And so, like any child, her daughter responded to the expectations set for her. Why should her daughter bother talking when she didn’t need to? Autism doesn’t make speaking impossible, a lack of belief – from you the parent does. Every time you give in to non-verbal cues, you reinforce the idea that vocal communication isn’t mandatory in your home. And that’s the pattern that’s keeping you locked in a world of gestures and silence, rather than one filled with words and conversation. I always ask parents this question… “If Autism wasn’t a part of the equation would it be optional for your child to speak to you in your home?” “HELL NO!” When you, as a parent, believe in your children’s potential, you show up differently. You stop making excuses for them and start holding them accountable to their capabilities. It’s easy to let things slide when you feel overwhelmed by their diagnosis. But when we set the bar low, our children meet it. The Good News….When we set it high, they rise to the occasion. Your child is capable of so much more than you think. The moment you stop settling for the 50% and start expecting the 100%, everything changes. Autism doesn’t define their potential – your belief in them does. P.S. Ready to help your child find their voice? Join me TOMORROW for Silent to Speaking, where I’ll teach you the key strategies to get your child with autism communicating more consistently. Seats are limited, so grab your spot now and take the first step toward unlocking your child’s full potential. Let’s make speaking a reality! |
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