"HE.  CAN'T.  TALK.  BACK!!!!" These words were being screamed at me by Elizabeth (3yrs old) regarding her 5 year old brother Jacob.  The two of them were in the bath tub, and Elizabeth desperately wanted the pink duck that Jacob was clutching.  I had suggested that instead of asking me for the pink duck Elizabeth should ask her brother directly.  She had shot me a look that could have killed, and went on to mumble to him that she wanted that duck.  Jacob was not responding to her at all, and we were well past the point of mild frustration for Elizabeth.  I sympathized with her feelings.  She was after all only three years old.  I am nearly twenty eight years old and no where near understanding the complexity of ASD.  I knew that however frustrating this situation may be for Elizabethand Jacob that I needed to pursue it....to see it through.  We needed to work on communication between the two children.  I had been the go between for the children for almost a year now.  Anytime that  Elizabeth wanted something that Jacob had she always asked me.  The times that Elizabeth had something that Jacob wanted he either grabbed it from her hands or asked/told me.  I needed the children to start a dialogue.  I looked at Elizabeth and said in my calmest most assured voice, "He can talk.  He may not be able to find his words as quickly as you or I, but we love him very much and so we will be patient and understanding."  I swung Jacob around so he was facing Elizabeth.  I tilted his chin up so that his face was so close to hers.  I said " Come on Liz let's try again." Her eyes were welled up with tears at this point, and her face displayed a look that was certainly not optimistic.  "Can I have pink duck please."  No response.  "Use his name please.  Say Jacob can I have pink duck please."  She breathes in.  "Jacob can I have pink duck please.  Jacob can I have pink duck PLEASE."  Jacob looks down at his hands.  One of them holds the pink duck...the other the purple duck.  "Jacob did you hear Elizabeth's words?  She wants the pink duck please."  I am desperate for this communication to be a success.  Jacob hands over the pink duck.  Elizabeth embraces it in triumph.  "He SHARED with me!!!"  She is quite pleased.