A Cell Phone Opened Communication for My Nonspeaking Son
![coopjumpfeat coopjumpfeat](https://www.findingcoopersvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/coopjumpfeat-1024x578.jpg)
I received a lot of questions when I shared that I was getting my nonverbal 13-year-old son a cell phone.
To be honest, I questioned myself. But I had a dream laced with hope and determination.
Sign language. Gestures. A speech device. Spelling. And so on.
![](https://www.findingcoopersvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cooper5-e1687122498624-252x300.jpeg)
Sometimes his autism feels like a closed door. Or something just out of reach. I can see but I want more. For him. For me.
We’ve been practicing texting.
Words. Selfies. GIFs of trains.
He sends to me or dad or his brother. And when we receive we make a really big deal about it so he sees and hears.
Cause. Effect. In real time.
Two nights ago he text me for the first time independently.
I was at junior high orientation for my second son.
A ding on my phone.
I can admit I gasped when I saw the notification.
![](https://www.findingcoopersvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Cooper-Texts-197x300.png)
And that’s how it started. Him texting me the names of the things he loves.
And me responding with photos and GIFs.
He’s spelling. He’s typing.
I’m in awe honestly. I had no idea this was possible.
This morning I woke up to a text reading….
Big blue train
And then this morning we practiced…
This is the most amazing gift.
![](https://www.findingcoopersvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Coops-Text2-176x300.png)