The Mute Button

When we first received the diagnosis of PDD-NOS, we didn't really understand what that meant. Then we realized that it's on the Autism Spectrum, and we got a little scared.  Our boy has "speech delay" as a major part of his Autism, so it's very difficult for him to say the words he so desperately wants to share. I remember one time he came up to me, looked me in the eye's - and even formed the words with his mouth - but nothing came out.  He was straining to make each word, straining to have that "voice". He ended up in tears at that moment, knowing on his face the struggle he was having in asking for something as simple as "juice".  It was as if someone took a remote control, pointed it at our son at that moment, and clicked "mute". What I find is frustrating about the spectrum is the aspect of how diverse it really is.  I hear some parents who can't get their kids to calm down or "shut up" for a moment of silence, or get some level of sleep - due to insomnia in their kids.  Another time I hear of a dad, who after 18 years - is still waiting for his son to look at him and say, "hi dad". We can't take away autism, like placing a band-aid on a boo-boo, although we all wish we could. I have to remind myself that our son has the amazing ability to know what's going on - but has such a difficult time expressing it himself. Have you dealt with speech delay in Autism?