What counts as a conversation?

My son is in early intervention and being assessed for autism. He communicates using echolalia and repeating single words or putting our hand on what he wants. His 3 year old milestone questionnaire asks if he can "talk with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges". We can do several back and forth exchanges that do communicate something, but I don't think they are typical or direct, like he doesn't ask and answer questions. Unless it's like "do you want milk or juice?" And he will repeat "juice" as his answer. Do you know what "counts" as a conversation?

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I would say not, you can understand his needs! This sounds exactly like my son too- he had his assessment and is a gestalt language processor so that might be something to look into?

@Emma I've seen gestalt language processors on Instagram and can definitely relate. A lot of our "conversations" are going back and forth singing his favorite songs. He does duets from "we don't talk about Bruno" with me, dances and acts them out, lol

It counts

Those milestones much like standardized test are rigged towards kids that are more on a higher functioning level so just Because your son’s not meeting those levels presently doesn’t mean that it doesn’t count

@Caroline absolutely! Mine can sing songs, say what things are if I point to them but that general conversation ability he doesn’t have! He will say learnt phrases but they have to be used in the exact situation he’s learnt them in!

@Emma sounds similar! We have little scripts that are like a back and forth conversation but are very specific. He recently started asking "are you ok?" Or "are you sad" and giving a hug or saying "don't worry mommy!". He wants us to pretend to cry so he can do this over and over. Lol

@Kavonnah that's good to know!

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