When I’m busy, I like it when Nathan chooses to swing and listen to music.

Lately, he would get up from the swing, look for me in a different room, with strong eye-contact and a big smile on his face, ask to change the music or make it louder.

Who said a child with autism couldn’t be so expressive, spontaneous and persistent?

The son-rise practice that has helped Nathan be so persistent:
Give full control. We celebrate every request Nathan wishes by granting them immediately. He has figured that using his words makes Mama/Papa/Ate Juliet/Volunteers move. He really uses words much more frequently and with gusto to get his demands met.