You can use photo cards as a way to communicate, I've used this approach with several of my preschoolers who were non-verbal or speech delayed. For my purposes, I laminated several cards & placed a laminated square with velcro on it, then stuck the cards to the square. I had squares in each of the main areas of our classroom with the objects the children requested frequently, you could adapt this in the home by having cards in the kitchen, bathroom, etc. It's worth a shot!
I had a 1 1/2 year old today & could not for the life of me understand what she was asking for, she threw herself on the floor in an all-out toddler fit & screamed nonstop for 20 minutes. After which she picked herself up off the floor, walked over to the fridge, opened it by herself, and removed her cup of milk. Gee--think you could have tried that BEFORE the fit???
