I'm sorry, Robin. It's really difficult when our children can't speak. Patrick said a few words, but lost them all by age 2. It would make our kids lives easier if they could say a few words like "drink", etc. I don't think Patrick will ever speak again.
Have you heard of Tito, the autistic boy from India? His mother taught him to write at age 3 or 4. Tito has never spoken, but writes (unassisted) beautiful poetry & communicates with others by writing. He's a hand-flapping child that looks like he doesn't know a thing. I think our children are much smarter than they can convey. Tito says the best thing we can do is to "believe" in our children. I have an article I can e-mail you if you don't have it.
Terri