DA!!

If you don't know Lynda, you may think that this is just one of those pictures that we just weren't able to snap while she was smiling.  Actually, no.  This IS the look we were going for.  It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words....well, Lynda didn't have a thousand words.  She did have ONE word and a sound that accompanied it that was her multi-purpose "bad" word.  If she had to wait too long for anything....you heard the word and the sound.  If she was given something she didn't like to eat or drink...there's that word again with it's sound effect.  Put her hair in pig tails and you get THE word and it's sound...along with this LOOK ON HER FACE that is certainly the picture that is worth a thousand words!

Lynda's multi-purpose "bad" word was "DA" (short a) followed by the sound that you make when you put your tongue out and blow air or put your lips together and blow air through them.  Now practice the two together.  "DA"--blow air through your lips while they are together.  Do the two quickly in succession.  Repeat for effect.  Now, do these two sounds while you throw yourself to the floor if you're really opposed to what is being proposed.  If you are just mad because some one has suggested that you might put a toy down and do something else....say "DA", add blowing sound, and throw toy on to hardwood floors.  For picture days at school if the photographer takes longer than 10 seconds to get the shot, say "DA", follow with the sound and a little spit if possible and then slump down in your chair and pull on your clothes.  Translated this means, "You had 10 seconds to get the shot and you blew it so now do not think for one minute I'm going to give you another chance."

The word/sound effect works equally well when you decide you've had enough of (well,anything...) say the word/sound and repeat for emphasis.  Now while someone is holding your hand, just melt into a puddle on the floor.  For the best effect, this is best performed in the middle of a large department store.  Continue the word/sound effect while the by-standers stop and stare.  They will have no idea that you have a disability called autism because no one has heard of it in the 70's and even today in 2013, people seem to think that staring at a child with autism is somehow helpful.  This is THE time to provide another loud "DA" followed by the best sound effect WITH spit you can produce aimed straight for the know-it- all-person who is telling your mom what she should do although she has never even heard of autism. 

"DA"/splat is a multi-purpose word to just let anyone know that you are not happy with something.  It must be said with a disgusted look on your face and can be repeated as often as you find it necessary to get your point across.  Who says a child who is virtually non-verbal can't communicate?  It is easily translated into any language!