Updates from Silence to Signals

What Is Presymbolic Communication in Autism?

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 20:21:08 -0500

Presymbolic communication is how a child sends signals with the body, eyes, movement and sound. Learn what it looks like at home and how to respond.

AAC at Home: Reading Your Child's Signals Around the Device

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:26:54 -0500

Why Is My Child Fine at School but Upset When Therapy Comes Home?

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 21:51:28 -0500

Silence to Signals: Frequently Asked Questions

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 01:34:00 -0500

The Signal Lexicon: Every Term in the Silence to Signals™ Communication Framework, Defined

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:37:00 -0500

Why Does My Autistic Child Keep Hitting Himself?

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:00:00 -0500

If your child is hitting his head or hurting himself, you are not overreacting. This behavior is serious, and it is also often a signal your child needs help communicating.

When a child engages in self-injurious behavior — hitting, head-banging, biting — the instinct is to make it stop. But what if the more powerful question isn't *how do I stop this* — it's *what is my child trying to tell me*? Self-injurious behavior is rarely random; in most cases, it is the loudest signal in a sequence that began much earlier, with smaller, quieter signals that went unread. Understanding the functions behind self-injury — from sensory overload and protest to pain, need for predictability, and communication mismatch — changes everything about how a parent can respond. This post walks through what those earlier signals often look like, why they escalate when they go unrecognized, and what to do both in the moment and after it has passed. You'll also find a clear, step-by-step framework for reading the pattern beneath the behavior — one grounded in over 25 years of clinical experience and research showing reductions in self-injurious behavior of up to 81%. The goal isn't control. It's clarity — and it starts with learning to read what your child is already communicating.

Coaches vs. Clinical Competency: What Google Gets Wrong About Autism Support

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:48:00 -0500

Google makes coaching sound flexible and clinical care sound formal. But when your non-speaking autistic child is melting down, the real question is: who has the framework to read the signal?

Signal Fatigue: Why Your Exhaustion Is Real, and How to Build the Support You Need

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 23:41:00 -0500

You're not tired because you're weak. You're tired because you've been translating a language no one taught you to speak. Here's how to stop doing it alone.

Nonverbal vs. Nonspeaking: Why the Words You Choose Matter More Than You Think

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 01:22:00 -0500

The term you use to describe your child shapes how you see their communication. Here's why the word nonspeaking matters.

The Autism Milestone Shift: Celebrating the Victories Others Miss

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:58:00 -0500

Your child pulled your hand to the fridge. They held eye contact for three seconds. They pressed a new button on their talker. These are the wins that matter most—and they deserve to be celebrated like the miracles they are.