I highly recommend sign language. My non-verbal 3 yr. old knows signs for the foods and activities he likes. We also use PECS but because he's so good with his signs he only uses it for specific things like a particular book he wants. Good luck!

Try talking to her ALOT. My son is nonverbal but he has begun to say mama again and trying to say more. He is starting to make noises. Anytime he grabs a toy I repeat what he has over and over and even though he isn't looking at me I know he hears me. If I give him something I hold it and say whatever it is over and over and finally hand it to him still repeating the word. I talk to him all the time. Sometimes just saying random words. The more they hear the better. Holding something they want and repeating it until they show signs of frustration works for my son. I also started signing. He signs more all the time. Working on open and eat. Even if they dont speak and only sign at least we are communicating. I hope this helps!

I definitely will try these ideas. I believe it's harder when your child delayed in speech and is on the spectrum. All I always think about is how much she just suffer not being able to communicate things to me. Especially when I can't guess it know what she is trying to tell me. Her tantrums have also become more consistent and I believe it's from the frustration she feels.

My son is nonverbal. I understand him because he gestures, takes a hand, points, or sometimes say what it is. His language isn't consistent. Have your child choose give a choice...give 2 items & have choose. Pictures of the real objects are good make a booklet. My son does some sign language the basics more open sit stop ...if that works try that...a communication device or board find what works for her. Hang in there it'll get better for u. I pray for my son constantly hopefully a blessing comes soon not just for him but all nonverbal kids struggling to communicate :)

My daughter is 8 and non verbal and it is tough because as you said there is lack of communication and that means frustration.

My daughter gets all the standard therapies but she is also in residential schooling. They have been working with her for eight months now and have taught her PECS and sign language. She was using PECS prior to going there but they have done much better with it.

I can tell you she can actually say a few words and they are not really clear to people who do not know. She says juice for drinks eat for eat, yes and all done for what they are. She also says different for again the obvious. So when we show her foods either real or pictures she says yes of she wants it or different if she doesn't. Then when we are going somewhere we show her the picture or logo of a place and she says yes to let us know she understands where we are going. She will also chose a picture if she wants to go somewhere or do something.

This might not seem like much to most people but it is big with us and the frustration is much lower than before. She is now signing along with the pictures and vocslizations so that helps as well. I will say you cannot rush it and you have to use reward based ABA to get it going but after that the reward is the communication and they will respond