Imagine knowing exactly what you want to say—but not having the words to say it.

For many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this is their everyday experience. Some children communicate through words, others through signs, gestures, or pictures. No matter the form, every child deserves the right to be heard—to express themselves, to connect with others, to make choices, and to say "No."

Children will often communicate using voice, signs, gestues, pictures, or even devices.

What Is Communication, Really?

Communication is more than just talking. It's the ability to express our wants, needs, feelings, thoughts, and even dislikes to the people around us. It also involves understanding what others say to us. This brings us to two key areas of language development:

Expressive Communication: The ability to share thoughts, needs, or emotions (e.g., speaking, signing, using pictures).
Receptive Language: The ability to understand what others are saying or showing us.

Children with ASD may have differences in one or both areas. It’s our responsibility as caregivers, educators, and professionals to ensure every child has a way to express themselves—whatever that may look like.

The Right to Say “No” Matters

It’s easy to focus on teaching children to follow directions or ask for help—but what about teaching them to say “No”?

Being able to refuse, object, or set a boundary is just as important as being able to ask for something. Whether a child says "No" out loud, signs it, shakes their head, or moves away—that communication matters and deserves to be honored.

When we respect a child’s way of saying “No,” we:

Help them feel safe and respected
Build trust and reduce frustration
Lay the foundation for self-advocacy and personal agency

Self-Advocacy is a Safety Skill

Teaching a child how to communicate clearly—especially to say “stop,” “no,” or “help”—is also an important part of keeping them safe. Children who can express refusal or discomfort are less vulnerable to abuse, bullying, or coercion. Empowering children to speak up—however they communicate—helps protect their dignity and wellbeing.

Supporting Communication in Daily Life

You don’t need special tools to support your child’s communication. Here are some practical ways to encourage expression in everyday routines:

At Home

Let your child make daily choices (snacks, toys, clothing).
Teach simple signs for “eat,” “drink,” “help,” or “more.”
Use pictures or labels around the house for common items.
Reinforce all attempts to communicate—spoken or nonverbal.

At School

Share your child’s communication methods with teachers and staff.
Ensure your child can request breaks, help, or say “no” at school.
Collaborate with educators to use visuals or communication tools.

In the Community

Bring communication supports (picture cards, AAC apps) with you.
Prepare your child for outings by reviewing where you’re going and what to expect.
Praise and respond to your child’s efforts to communicate, even in small ways.

Essential Early Requests to Teach

Some helpful communication skills to start with include:

If a child does not speak, we can teach them to communicate using alternative methods like a speech app on a tablet.

Steps to Teaching Communication

Choose a Communication Form
Start with something your child can already do—spoken words, gestures, signs, pictures, or printed text.
Pick 1–3 Key Requests
Focus on what’s most relevant to your child’s daily routine.
Prepare Materials
This might include teaching a sign, creating a picture card, or writing simple words.
Capture Opportunities
When your child wants something, show them how to communicate it:
“You want juice? Say ‘juice’ or point to the juice card.”
Honor the Request Immediately
Once your child uses the new form, give them what they asked for right away.
Repeat Consistently
The more it works, the more they’ll use it—and trust that you’ll respond.
Teach Boundaries Gradually
As your child’s communication grows, begin teaching when and why certain requests may not be granted (e.g., for safety).
Track Progress
Make a list of the words or signs your child learns, and build on it over time.

In Conclusion: Communication is a Human Right

Whether or not a child can speak, they still have a voice—and it’s our job to help them use it and be heard.

Supporting communication is not just about meeting needs—it's about fostering connection, autonomy, safety, and dignity. It’s one of the most important life skills we can help a child develop.

Let’s remember: every child deserves a way to say what they want, what they need—and when they’ve had enough. It’s their right, their power, and our responsibility to honor it.

Every Child Has a Voice: Honoring Communication for All Children