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Dad Filmed His Lively Conversation With Nonverbal Son With Autism

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This dad’s conversation caught on video is proof that there is more than one way to communicate.

Shawn Garan, from Stamford, Connecticut, is in the process of becoming ordained through the United Church of Christ, according to his blog. He is also the father of two twin 4-year-olds, Molly and Max. Max has autism and is nonverbal.

Garan with Max
Courtesy of Shawn Garan

Recently, Garan was running an errand with Max in the car and the two of them had a prolonged back and forth exchange, which Garan recorded and posted to YouTube.

Max often responds by yelling or making sounds, and Garan says this was a rare moment where Max stayed engaged long enough for them to have a quality back and forth.

Family portrait featuring four people.
The Garan family, courtesy of Shawn Garan.

“I just hope that people will see that autistic people have a voice,” Garan told The Mighty in an email. “They can understand what were saying, it’s just that some might have a hard time responding back.”

See their conversation in the video below: 

h/t Autism Speaks

Originally published: January 20, 2016
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