I have a semi-nonverbal 3 1/2 year old autist son. He communicates with sign and pictures and understands fairly well. He has been helping with simple tasks around the house for years and turning on and off lights is one of them.

This afternoon I asked him to turn on the room's light. He looked at me with "that look." You know, the look that means "I have no idea what a light is or why a switch would be involved. Why do you expect me to do it? How about I just open the tv remote and suck on the batteries for a while instead?"

Argh! So, today he has no idea what I'm talking about, but yesterday he did and tomorow he'll do it without a second thought. I just wanna scream!

YES!  And now that I have a neuro-typically developing child who I never get that look from I realize how hard that is!

My almost 2 year old never gives it, but my almost 4 year old with Autism does it often.  But it is getting less and less. 

Keep your head up Barbara and know you are not alone!