Why I Stopped Forcing My Nonverbal Son to Communicate “The Right Way”

In this episode, James talks about something he hasn’t addressed before: what happens when the communication tools everyone recommends simply don’t work for your child.When James’s nonverbal son, Lucas, couldn’t physically use American Sign Language due to dexterity challenges, it felt like yet another failure in a long list of “solutions” that sounded good on paper but didn’t work in real life. Instead of forcing Lucas to fit a system that wasn’t built for him, James made a different choice. They changed the system.This episode explores how gesture-based communication evolved in their home, why being understood matters more than doing things “the right way,” and how connection, safety, and dignity often come before progress charts and programs.If you’ve ever worried you were doing it wrong, this conversation is for you.It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print.Follow Us On TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.