I’ve shared this meme before, but Jonah’s use of the word “no” will come and go when he is protesting something.

It started as an imitation from being prompted when he is screaming… like I would just ask him, “Oh. Are you saying ‘no?’ ”

And he would stop screaming and simply say “no.” That was huge.

But after a while, he kind of just ‘stopped’ saying no. He would ask for “space” or he would scream.

But ANY expressive verbal communication is a victory when your starting point for language just a little over a year ago was ZERO.

And lately, he has again been shaping his angry protests into an (unprompted) “noooooooooo!!”

Being able to take a concept (“no”) and not only verbalize it in a specific situation, but to generalize it, and use it appropriately in context without any prompting is a MONUMENTAL victory.

And unless he is in physical danger, I will honor that.

The task itself is not as important as his ability to communicate his feelings about it.

Those who are close to him will understand his non-verbal cues, but not everyone will be able to decipher them.

So having the tools to verbally communicate “no” to other people is huge. He can say “no” at school. He can say “no” in child care. He can say “no” to another kid.

Saying “no” is something many people take for granted.

But for us, that’s something I’ll celebrate.

Original Facebook Post.