Ava Has Autism

There was a season of our life when my daughter, Ava, was completely nonverbal. She didn’t have the words yet — but she still had needs, feelings, preferences, and a beautiful personality inside her.

And when she couldn’t express what she needed, the frustration was big — for her, and for me as her mom. There were moments of tears, guessing games, meltdowns, and heartbreak because I knew she was trying to tell me something… but we didn’t have the bridge yet.

So I started creating communication boards for her — one at a time, one need at a time — out of pure survival and love. We had boards hanging everywhere:

✨ food
✨ clothing
✨ hygiene
✨ sensory needs
✨ basic wants
✨ places
✨ playtime

Anywhere she might need a voice — there was a board waiting.

And they were a game changer.
For the first time, Ava had a way to tell us what she needed without becoming overwhelmed. Her world started to make more sense. And ours felt gentler, too. 💛

If you’re here because your child is struggling to communicate — you are not alone. I want to share what communication boards are, how they help autistic and non-speaking kids, and how you can begin using them in simple, everyday moments.

🧠 What Is a Communication Board?

A communication board is a visual tool that uses pictures, symbols, or words so a child can:

✔️ point
✔️ tap
✔️ look at
✔️ or hand you a symbol

…to tell you what they want to say.

They’re commonly used by:

• autistic kids
• non-speaking children
• kids with speech delays
• AAC learners

Communication boards don’t replace speech.
They simply give another — sometimes more accessible — way to communicate.

For Ava, they became the bridge between her thoughts and the world around her.

🌟 Why Communication Boards Help Autistic Kids So Much

When a child can’t express their needs, it’s not just about “not talking.” It’s about:

😣 frustration
😔 feeling misunderstood
💥 emotional overload

Communication boards help by:

✔️ reducing frustration & meltdowns
✔️ giving clear choices
✔️ building independence
✔️ increasing confidence
✔️ supporting language learning
✔️ helping kids express feelings safely

But honestly?
One of the biggest changes I saw in Ava was relief.

She didn’t have to fight to be understood anymore.

And I didn’t have to guess.

🏠 Real-Life Ways We Used Communication Boards

Here are some of the exact ways boards supported Ava — and how many families now use them too.

🍽️ Mealtimes

Instead of guessing what “I want that!” meant…

She could point to:
✔️ specific foods
✔️ “more please”
✔️ “all done”

It turned mealtime into connection instead of stress.

🎒 Routines & Getting Ready

We used boards for:

✔️ shoes
✔️ toothbrush
✔️ backpack
✔️ jacket

Predictability made mornings calmer — for everyone.

🧸 Play & Choices

Kids light up when they get to choose.

Ava could point to:
✔️ toys
✔️ activities
✔️ favorite shows

Her independence blossomed.

😔 Big Feelings & Sensory Needs

Some of the most powerful words she learned to point to were:

✔️ “too loud”
✔️ “help”
✔️ “stop”
✔️ “I need a break”

Those words are safety.

🧩 How To Start Using a Communication Board (From One Mom to Another)

You don’t need to do this perfectly.
You don’t need training.
You just need patience and heart — which you already have.

1️⃣ Start small

Begin with everyday needs — food, comfort, and play.

2️⃣ Model the words

Point while you talk:

🗣️ “Drink?”
👉 (point to drink)

This helps connect visuals to meaning.

3️⃣ Keep it simple at first

Too many symbols can overwhelm some kids.

4️⃣ Celebrate progress — big or small 🎉

A glance…
A tap…
A tiny attempt…

It all counts.

5️⃣ Give it time

Communication is connection — not a race.

🛍 Why I Now Create Communication Boards for Other Families

What started as a way to help Ava became my mission.

I create visual supports because I remember:
💔 the frustration
💬 the guessing
😢 the tears
✨ and the joy when communication finally unlocked

If you’d like ready-made communication boards designed with autistic learners in mind, you can explore them here:

👉 AvaHasAutism – Etsy

Communication – Ava Has Autism

There is zero pressure — just a resource I wish I had sooner.

❤️ A Gentle Reminder for Your Heart

If you’re here, reading this, it means you care deeply.

You’re advocating.
You’re learning.
You’re showing up.

And that makes you an incredible parent, teacher, or caregiver.

Communication boards don’t just help kids “ask for things.”

They help them:
✨ feel safe
✨ belong
✨ connect
✨ express who they are

And they help remind us that voice doesn’t always sound like spoken words.

Sometimes, it looks like a finger tapping a picture.

And that voice is just as worthy. 💛