How Mikko Talks to Us 

My little girl was exactly like Mikko 🫶 she didnt really speak up until she was 6ish and by that time she had a delay. But she is almost 8 now and having full blown conversations with us. Every child is different and progresses differently but in time and with lots of patience, love and understanding (like this amazingly loving mother) she will blossom 🫶🙏

Just because she's not speaking, doesn't mean she's not thinking, feeling, or communicating.

I like that you show the good days and the bad days and paint a realistic picture.

When I took a break from Truck driving I started cutting hair in a barbershop and I had a few autistic children customers, I had to learn their likes and treated them normal cause other barbers didn't treat them normal or didn't want to cut their hair, I talked to them like everyone else and found out what their likes were, they were highly intelligent but just communicated different from us, one child really liked French fries so I used to make sure I had French fries before he came to the shop the days he would come get a cut, he would give me a hand shake and say thank you plus sit still when I cut his hair, if any other barber tried to cut his hair he would scream and cry or wouldn't sit still, he would only trust me to cut his hair, he would give me a hug after i finished his cut and say see you later, I hated having to go back to truck driving cause the children would make my day knowing i made them happy and treated the like everyone else, Mikko will be blessed she is veru lucky to have parents like this and may god bless you all!!

Her little “thank you” after mama helped pull her socks off 🥹

When Mikko cries it is the saddest cry in the whole world! It's heartbreaking. You are amazing with your responses to her❤

I love watching her and how you and the family are so patient with her. She is truly an adorable little girl. Bless her! ❤

Continue to be patient. She is learning in her own way. “Thank you baby” is so cute! She feels your love and that’s most important! ❤

One of the biggest things I pick up on from your videos is not only the tremendous amount of patience you have to employ in order to help Mikko navigate everyday life, but the even greater amount of patience she needs to employ with herself and others. Your videos place an emphasis on gentleness, but what we’re seeing is a family that is working SO HARD together to make this thing work. I hope you know we see this, and when Mikko is old enough, I hope she knows that we see how much work she puts into everyday life. Thank you for sharing this with us. 🩷 If you haven’t done so already, I’d be really curious to know how your older kids come into the fold- do they struggle with jealousy because of the amount of attention you have to dedicate to Mikko’s needs? I know their dad is very involved, so this might not be an issue. How do they help Mikko and interact with her? Totally get it if you’re not ready to tackle this, yet, but it could be really helpful for us to see a more holistic picture of how the family operates as a system. Keep it up, Precious. I know you’re winging it day by day, and you’re doing so beautifully.

Yayyy Mikko! No matter how you communicate, as long as your needs are being meant. Your voice will come with time ❤

한국의 특수교사입니다. 저희 반 자폐학생도 9살쯤부터 본격적으로 말하기 시작해서 지금은 소통이 잘 되고 있어요. 우는 것도 많이 줄었고요. 미코가 너무 사랑스럽습니다. 앞으로 더 잘 될 거에요 모든 것이!

Just getting a glimpse of Mikko as she's happily growing puts a smile in my heart💗

Impressive how this mom shows tough love water no more juice & enforcing nap time. Excellent!🙌🏽

I am from Memphis TN 901 and when I heard Mikko say Thank you baby my heart just melted ❤. Precious you are doing a wonderful job and GOD is BLESSING 🙏🏾❤️

I LOVE this channel. I am a Pre-K teacher and started watching your channel to see how you dealt with a nonverbal autistic child. I’m in no way a special education teacher and have not be given any training, but I am trained in teaching little humans. I have had 3-4 autistic kiddos in my class every year for the last 7 years and do not see that changing. I enjoy watching how you teach Miko and I try those tips on my kiddos. Sometimes they work, and sometimes not. 🤷‍♀️ My best moment was a year before last when my completely nonverbal kiddo took my hand and took me across the classroom to an activity he wanted on a high shelf. He just looked at it and when I said “Please” he repeated and then said “thank you” when I gave it to him. OF COURSE I was in tears, but happy tears. That was a turning point for him and me and we started learning each other a lot more!!🥰🥰 Keep up your amazing work with her!!! I would LOVE to have her in my classroom knowing how much she has leaned. ❤

She's so smart and so sweet. I loved hearing her say "thank you baby"

I was watching and listening to every word like I have a child with autism , but I just can understand how this situation can be related to any other conditions or circumstances. I hope every child had this chance / love in life . God bless you Momma . Edit : thanx for the likes . I watch this channel always as a subcriber but this video made me cry and realize all everyone wants is being loved unconditionally just as God loves us irrespective of how we are .

My niece was like your daughter until she was 4. Just like you said early intervention and supportive family. She's now in her mid-late 20s and she's now a Nurse Practitioner. You and your husband are doing a good job.

Sometimes I think you’re a little hard on yourself. But you really are amazing.

She's so precious 💕

As a single mother who also has a special needs daughter with multiple diagnosis including autism (moderate level) as well as a recent diagnosis of Agenesis of the Corpus Collosum which she is missing the middle part of the brain that is essential for both hemispheres to communicate together. She’s 9 and she is verbal, but her communication skills are between the ages of 2-4. Thank you so much for sharing the good and the not so good moments especially the meltdowns. I absolutely love your channel. It is so heartwarming to watch how your family handles the daily struggles of what it’s like to live with an autistic child and seeing the improvements she’s made. She is so adorable, and her smile and laughter are the cutest 🥰 ❤️💙💛🫶🏻

Precious. You are doing an INCREDIBLE JOB with Mikko!!

I love the way you worded that at the end. “Society may not have been prepared for you but we will have prepared her for it.” Such a good outlook to have. No matter what you do, others will not always understand autism and people with autism. But if you can teach her to navigate then she will be just fine. ♥️

She will be having conversations in the future. Eye contact sometimes is over stimulating. My cousin says it's like taking 1000 pictures in second. (20yrs old with Autism) He had about 10 words at 6 years old. Now he can tell you it all. She is definitely thinking and communicating. You are an amazing mother by looks of it. Remember, GOD knows what he is doing. ❤

My first born son started talking at 4yrs...it was frustrating but i had to step up as his mum and we walked the journey together. Today he's a storyteller. Mikko is adorable baby, very smart indeed....it's ok sometimes she feels frustrated and that way she expresses her emotions.

I love how Mikko decided to speak more during her video about being nonverbal!! God bless you, Mama... I hope you have help and I admire you beyond words with tears in my eyes my heart overflows with love for you and your family ❤️❤️❤️✝️🙏❤️❤️❤️

I love how your face lights up when she speaks 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 Great Job Mom 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Stay Blessed 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Mikko is growing up and using her words. That is very exciting!

9:30 I think it’s so good to still discipline or instill rules to a child with autism. Like when you said you had no more juice. It teaches them self control and sets them up for adulthood because in life we will not get what we want all the time. Also, it’s good to practice moderation. Even though they have autism they still need guidance into adulthood.

My heart hurts for her everytime I see her cry😢. She's so sweet.

Singing... That actually helped my son with eye contact and responding back in song. I literally had to sing about everything and narrate what he's doing. It definitely helped. Tons of eye contact and responding to his name now. He also has Hyperlexia so they don't quite consider him non-verbal anymore, since he can say the alphabet, numbers, and colors when prompted. He's in speech because he doesn't have functional communication, such as talking back and forth in a conversation. Thank you for sharing- your ideas and methods have helped me greatly as well with my journey with my son.

Mikko is a truly blessed child to have a patient and nurturing mother like you. I hope you are getting all the support you need. The world would be a much better place with more parents were like you ❤❤❤

Mikko is saying more words in this video than I have ever seen.. Keep up the amazing work Mom.. Mikko is such a beautiful lil girl. Thank you for sharing your videos.. God bless you and your family 🙏

My daughter was very similar, I love the patience & love y'all have for her❤ Amazing family 💯❤️🌹 I remember people putting me down for not " disciplining" my child in a regular way a child would be disciplined & it would upset me because they didn't understand, I had to separate myself from people that couldn't accept my child, she will always come first....her dad didn't understand at first but after the doctors & school spoke with him he did a turn around as far as learning & understanding. God bless yall❤

Your gentle touch with her is amazing. I love how you work with her. 💕

You help me realize that being nonverbal can mean that the relationship is maybe even more intimate than conventional parent child relationships!

She’s such a good mom and teacher to Mikko ❤️❤️

Precious, you are an amazing momma! Mike is such a blessing. When my grandmother had a child with cerebral palsy in the 1920s, she was definitely ahead of her time. Not one doctor focused on what she could do, only what she couldn't. Well, she blew them out of the water. She surpassed all expecting and then some. Grandma used to say that a child's parents are the ones to be their advocates. And you are. You are leading her siblings by example. I love the way Miko listens when her daddy sings to her! Her little face just seems to relax.

You are such an amazing mom I love the way you are so patience with her I truly appreciate and enjoy watching Thank you for sharing

It must be so frustrating being tired but not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep. Also, if she lacks sleep, then you all do too. May GOD continue to bless you all and supply you with patience. Amen.

She’s beautiful.. Can’t wait to see her speech develop. The way you relate to her has taught me a lot even as a school teacher.

She is adorable. She is growing into herself. You explain well for others to understand the various aspects of autism. Thanks for sharing something so private and vulnerable with us. Blessings, peace and love🙏🏾❤️

You know it's because of the attention and the love her parents have for her. She's so precious.

What a beautiful family you are. My respect for you and Chris as parents is tremendous. It’s such a shame that every child in this world can’t have the obvious love and support this beautiful little person has. And on a side note, it’s incredible how much she looks like her father. I wish you all the best,

Precious you are helping so many mothers deal with the unknown. ❤

You and your husband are such amazing parents.

My grandbaby is very similar, he just turned 5, Spanish speaking mom, English dad. He's still not conversational yet, but says words in both languages both ALS and SLS He's very smart. In the kindergarten at 4. Knows all the basics in both languages. Draws Extremely well. Photographic memory. He acts just like her. He was swimming at 2. Taught himself basically. He has a development coach, insurance, who spends 8 hours a day 5 days a week with him. He improved tremendously.

Precious, your parents has chosen the perfect name for you as your so sweet and precious 😊 such an amazing mom and an even more beautiful family 😊

Keep loving, listening and teaching Mom. It will pay off for her to have a healthy, fulfilled life. 💜🎉

When mikko said Mommy no. I hummm. I have several friends who are high spectrum 2 started out non verbal 1is an independent contractor who fixes companies computers the other works for Oracle the other is an engineer. One friend told me its like your on a whole new planet and you have to figure out how to get things done on this new planet no one speaks your language or know how to do things the way you do. So i have to adapt and adjust and configure things in my mind to come in a way for others to understand or know what im thinking or needing. I knew what i wanted or needed but they didn't understand me. I learned them way before they learned me. Counting numbers music books on tape helped out alot. Stay strong stay positive

I really appreciate these videos. Mikko is such a cutie and im so glad she is progressing so beautifully. MJ, my son, is four and we are at this level also. These videos give me hope and really helps to ease my anxiety some knowing there are others experiencing this as well. I let MJ watch them with me sometimes to see how he reacts and just for relativity so he sees others his age which I feel is important. I love your patience with Mikko even though we know sometimes it can be trying, yet there is a peace and patience is just willed to us in those times. So keep up the good work. From one mom to another, we got this! Soon we will celebrate mommy!! 🎉🎉

I just love how patient you are and try so hard to understand her and help her❤ I’m struggling so bad with being patient and not irritated 😭 my autistic 2 yr old can talk & is academically smart. Sometimes I’m like is she having a hard time or just wants to get on our nerves and whine when she knows how to talk it’s so frustrating. Mikko is so beautiful and has such a wonderful personality 😊 you guys are doing wonderful with her, and she’s doing so well❤

She’s beautiful! Her words seem to be at the top of her younger. Also seems like she’s working it all out on her own terms. You’re doing a great job mommy. 🤗💝

How does Mikko interact with her siblings? Does she get excited when they get in from school?

You are remarkable. When I see this sweetheart have a meltdown, it breaks my heart. The cuddles you give her are precious ❤

i wish everyone could be raised and loved like you do your babies. what a lucy kiddo ❤

You’re a wonderful human. I can’t help but to think about my upbringing and everything’s 10000000% different. People are still unable to understand that Autism in females is definitely NOT bipolar and it’ll be nice not to be treated like I’m bipolar when I’m not. Sure they may see some similarities between the two but they are not the same. Now I’ve moved back to Barbados where the doctors here aren’t even trying to see anything differently. Saying that I should have “grown out of this” by now and expecting me to create the energy to even look at someone after they’ve already inaccurately diagnosed me without me even saying one word. Ahhhh I’m not sure if I just got my point across 😫 you’re an awesome human is what I mean, you got this fam!! 💛🖖🌸✨

I watch the channel of an amazing autistic young man Ste’ce. I have no idea how old he is…late teens or early twenties. He’s nonverbal and uses a pad that says words and other ways of communicating. His mom is amazing and he is quite independent. I really enjoy watching him and their interactions. It makes me think of Mikko’s possibilities. ❤

Oh but you are listening. Look how she got you to meet her needs. Look how far she’s come. You all are listening and understanding and she appreciates you soooo much. That simple gesture of touching your face for that moment spoke volumes.❤❤❤❤❤

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. As a parent trying to understand my own family's journey dealing with a daughter on the spectrum, every little bit of insight helps ♥-- You have a beautiful family, sending much love and support (even if it's just via a RU-vid comment and prayers).

So great to see how M soothes herself with her thumb and gives you a gentle caress to show love 💕

Hello and with humble gratitude. I really am drawn to the kind simple and down to earth approach you show an otherwise challenging and arduous day to day journey. Your devotion and love is seen in Mikkos angelic eyes, your amazing !

I love this channel, and I love your family. The way you and Chris work as a team, is something that all of us can learn from. Bless you❤❤❤❤

Oftentimes, when we are looking at someone we find it more difficult to listen, because it's more visual information to process. But of course, if you find it works for Mikko, then great! I love your approach to parenting your beautiful girl! ❤️

Much love and hugs for this family. They're committed to doing the right thing for their children in this very difficult Society.

You are an amazing mother! Times will get tough and things may not go the way that was expected but you can get though those times with the help of your family and friends. Keep being the amazing person you are ❤

She’s absolute adorable good job mom! You’re very patient and gentle towards her needs ❤❤

My son will be 3 in December and he does a lot of the same things Mikko does to communicate (pointing, grabbing my hand to lead me to where he wants) except he doesn't say any words at all and it's almost as if he's refusing to talk. I put him in speech therapy thinking it would help but it's as if he is regressing. When we first started he was at least saying Mom. Now he calls me "Ba" lol which I'm not sure where it came from. He fights when we try to get him to say thank you... & man does the boy have a temper. It's so discouraging for me especially being a first time mother I feel like I'm completely failing. I applaud your patience because man! It is hard playing the guessing game with a 2 1/2 year old who also gets frustrated when he can't communicate what exactly he's needing or wanting. I love your guys videos and Mikko is so adorable! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

My younger daughter was diagnosed with a "Mixed Expressive/Receptive Language Disorder" at age 3. She spoke a lot of "gibberish." She was in Speech Therapy/Special Ed classes throughout grade school. She is now 33. She graduated college with Honors, works at a bank, has her own apartment and supports herself. She doesn't really have any friends outside of work but it doesn't bother her. Hang in there. You doing a great job with her!❤

I learn lots from your videos, thank you for sharing✨️✨️

What a sweet mama and sweet baby girl. Just wait until she grows a little bit more, she will show you that there is so much that she knows but was unable to communicate it. My son was different, but still had struggles. Since he was talking very early, I did not know he had autism till he was 7. He's all grown now. Just sending you encouragement and letting you know that being loving and gentle is wonderful. I was the same as you despite family discouraging me every step of the way. Be strong mama, you can do this for many of us have walked the road before you.

Wow, I had no idea you had other children, that has to be sooOOoo overwhelming at times. How do you guys make sure the other children are getting special time and feeling connected.

Pure love, pure patience, and total dedication 💯🙏🏾🫂

I just found your channel. What an absolutely adorable child Mikko is. I'll be watching her progress.

May God give you and your husband the strength you need to take care of your precious family. Blessings. ❤❤❤❤

Bless u Mom & Dad! This film is so needed for so many reasons ! I fill a huge gap, void& hole for so many people! This is for ALL humans because we all need to be more informed about putting LOVE into action! I am a retired special ed teacher and u allllll blow my mind ! Continue! U are AWESOME !

Yay. I love the updates! I applaud ur patience u do so great with her! ❤

You are doing a fantastic job! She has two good parents.

Thank you for another transparent video. I just love your family. I work with 18 and older disabled individuals (Guardianship) and I realize how precious they are and how wonderful the parents and caregivers are ❤❤. Praying God continues to give you all the strength needed to advocate for these precious gifts from God❤.

Your love patience and understanding for her will surely get her far! Your an outstanding mommy❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

She is communicating ALOT! Praise GOD! I loved when she gave you her foot to take off her socks. 10:03

Wow. Your doing a great job raising Mikko. She is such a sweet little girl & she is learning lots even though she uses gestures or some signs & other movements to ask for what she needs or wants in her daily life! Keep up the good work with her & autism as well. God bless you always! Showing her how much you care & love her is an essential to her growing up & to navigate the world we live in together!

She’s so happy and enjoying repeating you🥰

I pray that you have all the support and resources you need. I pray that as gentle as you are with Mikko that you are as gentle with yourself and that those around you are gentle with you, I pray that as she grows Mikko learns new things and can communicate even more as well as thrive. i know it can be difficult with an autistic child. You and your family are superheros!

I love this little girl so much and I don't know her. I celebrate her triumphs and feel sad when she cries. I love when her dad sings to her. I know there are struggles but your family is so blessed and your doing a great job. ❤❤

Her “Thank you!” Is my favourite!! 😊

Her mom is a giant in her life. So patient even when she doesn't really have the energy to be. God is going to bless this woman abundantly for taking care of his child in such a beautiful and special way. That little girl loves her mom so much. I hope that when she finally says a full sentence it will be "I love you momma."

I just learned about Ryan Woodard last night. He is a teen singer on RU-vid. He was non verbal until the age of ten. He learned to speak through singing. I believe that is a great way for people with Autism to learn to speak, since singing is repetative. It gives me hope for my two year old non verbal nephew.

You’re an awesome mom and you’re doing an absolutely AMAZING job! Keep it up. Mikko is thriving at her own pace. 🙏🏽

What an amazing parent you are!!

As a retired Exceptional Ed teacher for 30 plus years, frustration is hard for the little ones in the Spectrum. Using technology has made a difference in helping them communicate! I love your channel! ❤

Bless you guys, Gods entrusted you with such a gift as Mikko❤❤❤❤

04:44 I absolutely love happy Mikko

Came across this video, the first minute, I see how sweet, gentle and patient you are with her. You are very soothing to her. Bless you and your family.

I love watching her play. One of my grandchildren is autistic (8) and when he was between 2-4 he was very drawn to wheels and the way they turned. He was absolutely fixed on toy cars, trucks, carts, SUV’s, wagons, bicycles, tricycles, wheelbarrows, mopeds, motorcycles, etc. he would spend hours turning the wheels, lining them all up perfectly, spinning them fast, spinning them slowly…doing anything he could think to do with wheels. Today he still loves wheels but he loves other things too. I very much enjoy your channel. Please continue to share with us! 😁

Well done!!!!!! Bravo!!!! I'm so glad you shared this with the world! You're right, a 30 second clip really doesn't give us the whole picture. You're a wonderful family. Keep up the good work!!!! Your videos are so educating and I appreciate them so much. Tell Mikko "Thank You Baby!" You're video made my day.

My grandson is very similar to Mikko. I care for him Mon through Fri. And he is 5 yrs. Let me just say he is my heart! I have a degree in Special Education, which helps. You have to have tremendous patience and care when taking care of children on the Spectrum. But with great patience and valuable resources and knowledge it can be done. I love looking at Mikko because it reminds me so much of my baby. I have been praying that he will be able to verbally communicate very soon, since he is also nonverbal. I think you are doing a wonderful job with Nikko.

I am so overwhelmed, touched, with your loving passionate patients with Mikko. The love is so beautiful and watching your clips have touched me in a way I've never felt before. You're a beautiful soul. Not only Mikko, but your family is so blessed to have you in their lives. Thank you for teaching me the reality of how peoples journeys are paved in such different ways. To stop, think and appreciate and try to understand those differences. You are one remarkable woman. You really are Precious!!! 🤗 Much love to you and your family!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

She is so precious. Thank you for showing us her story. Your story your family story it is an inspiration to me.

Mama so proud of you. Don't worry all your encouragement and your love will have her one day come to you and speaking in a sentence with totally clearness. You and us understands hercompletely. I love that you have patince with her. My Granddaughter was just like your daughter and the doctors told us she would never talk and would be in special ed classes throughout her schooling. My daughter home schooled all her children. We as a family never let her feel that we could not understand her...she at the age of 7 could do math, every game we played with her, she won and she could read and explain to you what dhe had read. From the time of 7 she became an outstanding arts. Today she is in public school in the 11th girl. She will soon graduate to the 12th. She makes you so proud now and she knows that. You are an Amazingly, talented educational teacher. She is coming along so fast...it just fulls my heart because I see my Granddaughter in her. You know that she is a very intelligent child because of your love she will achieve all. Each time I see your channel (I just across it yesterday) I have tears of joy. You are a special extraordinarily person and mother. I use to teach children with speech problems who had autism and was given no hope from their doctors and even their family members. You have a blessed child and she is an achiever because of you. I love you both so much. With your patience, your style of teacher her...each day she is amazingly acknowleging her growth. Keep doing what you are doing with her, which I know you will...May God you and your family. Have you thought about being a teacher. You would makeke an excellent one. ❤