"I have a four year old son Christopher who is autistic, and loves music. He hears a song once, and he will hum the song. It is so amazing how he will hear a song for the very first time, and then hums it right after the song is over. My son is non verbal. Why is it that he can't pick up speech in that manner? Can you please give me some advice on how I can help my son start talking? Thank you for your time." Irene

Answer: Kerry Hogan, Psychoeducational Therapist, Chapel Hill TEACCH Center

Thanks for your question, Irene. I have to admit, children who sing their first words have always charmed me. If it is any reassurance, almost all of these children are now talking, but I know it is frustrating to hear him sing but not really communicate.

The crux of this issue really is "communication" in the broad sense of the word. Your son may be saying words when he is humming or imitating a tune but he probably doesn't recognize that the words to the song are the same words people use when talking to each other. Think of when you learned the song, "Frere Jacque." You may have known all the sounds to sing it in French, but had no idea what the words were, or what the song was about. Many children with autism, enjoy music, learn tunes and even lyrics but for them it is also like learning a song in an unknown language.

Even though your son is nonverbal, he is probably communicating in lots of ways. He may take you by the hand and show you things, bring you objects he wants, yell when he's mad, and sing when he's happy. The quickest way to turn that communication into language is to capitalize on the ways that he is already communicating. If he brings you the car keys when he wants to go to the park, keep a photo of the park nearby and repeat the word, "park" when you show him the picture. Use any visual information in the environment that is meaningful to him to supplement language so that he begins to associate words with the ways he is already communicating. Try to keep your language brief and be sure to use consistent words and phrases so that he begins to memorize them in the same situation he hears them.

Although you may be using other means to develop his language skills, I wouldn't want you to ignore all that interest in music. I have taught some words by singing to children who like music. What I do, however, is try to make short songs that are very meaningful and that I can associate with visual information so that the lyrics really become associated with communicating and not just singing. If your son enjoys puzzles, take out one of his favorites and only give him half the pieces. Then when he needs a new piece sing a short phrase like, "I need more," and see if he will imitate it. Give him the piece whether or not he imitates it since you want the experience of trying to communicate to be fun and motivating. Repeat the game at snack time or in other situations where he might use that phrase.

Create many opportunities for communicating throughout the day and experiment with songs, pictures, objects, and talking to see which is most meaningful and interesting to your son. Using some combination of these language supplements will spark his interest in communicating. Some parents worry that using pictures and objects will discourage their child from speaking but we have found that the opposite is true. Once he is interested in, and understands communication as a process, language will probably not be far behind.

Finally, though this is not exactly related to your question about communication, I would like to put in a plug for music. Many of the children I work with love music and are motivated by chances to listen to, or make music. For these children, I think this is a wonderful interest that can be developed into social and leisure opportunities that can last a lifetime. Play around with music. Listen to different types of music, make your own instruments, learn the movements that go with popular songs, go to concerts in the park, or find other ways to incorporate music into your child's life. We all need hobbies and interests to round out our lives and this sounds like it could be a lovely interest to foster in your son.