Communication is about more than spoken words. Children may use gestures, pictures, signs, facial expressions, or communication devices to express their needs. Learn how functional communication, ABA therapy, and mental health support can help children make choices, set boundaries, and participate in everyday life.

Hearing “I don’t want to go to school” can be frustrating, especially during a busy morning when everyone is trying to get out the door. It may sound like refusal or defiance. However, before focusing only on getting a child into the classroom, it can help to become curious about what those words may be communicating. Sometimes “I don’t want to go” really means: • “I feel anxious.” • “The classroom is overwhelming.” • “I am afraid of making a mistake.” • “Someone is making me