If you’re wondering where to start with expressive vocabulary for young autistic children who are non-speaking or minimally verbal, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions I hear from parents, teachers, and therapists.
The good news? You don’t have to start with full words.
For many children, symbolic sounds, animal sounds, and exclamatory words are a much more natural and meaningful place to begin. These early sounds are often easier to imitate, full of emotion, and perfect for building connection during play.
That’s exactly why this Symbolic Sounds, Animal Sounds & Exclamatory Words Bundle for Speech Therapy was created—to give you simple, developmentally appropriate tools you can start using right away.
“Good resources for teaching verbal imitation of syllables/ exclamatory words in a fun way:)”
-Katarzyna C.
Why Start With Sounds Instead of Words?
Before children use spoken words, they often communicate through sounds.
Think about sounds like:
- “Uh-oh!”
- “Oh no!”
- “Moo”
- “Vroom”
- “Achoo”
These sounds come earlier in speech development because they are:
- Short and simple
- Fun and motivating
- Easy to pair with movement and play
- Naturally repeated in everyday routines
For many autistic children, especially those who are non-speaking, these sounds feel more accessible than full words. They also create opportunities for joint attention, shared joy, and meaningful interaction—without pressure.
Exclamatory Words: Big Emotion, Big Engagement
Exclamatory sounds and words are often some of the first sounds children imitate.
This bundle includes 32 exclamatory sound flashcards, featuring sounds that are full of emotion and easy to model, like:
- “Uh-oh!”
- “Oh no!”
- “Wow!”
- “Yay!”
These sounds are perfect for:
- Play-based learning
- Turn-taking
- Building attention and engagement
You can use the cards as visual supports during play, or place them on a ring or in a small book for children who love predictability and repetition. Model each sound with lots of expression—be silly, be animated, and have fun!
Datasheets are included to track progress, plus a blank sheet so you can add your own sounds.
“I teach preschool students with speech/language and cognitive difficulties. These are great pictures to help target verbal imitation. The pictures are clear easy to understand.” -Ann Marie M.
Animal Sounds: A Natural Bridge to Early Speech
Animal sounds are a classic early speech tool—and for good reason.
This set includes 24 animal sound flashcards, using speech sounds and syllable shapes that tend to come first in development (like vowels and simple consonant-vowel combinations). Sounds like:
- “Moo”
- “Baa”
- “Meow”
- “Neigh”
Animal sounds are motivating, familiar, and easy to build into play. You can:
- Match pictures to pictures
- Pair cards with small animal toys
- Create simple file folder activities
- Practice sounds during songs or pretend play
Datasheets are included to support progress monitoring, making this set helpful for home, classroom, and therapy settings.
Symbolic Sounds: Simple Sounds With Big Meaning
Symbolic sounds are sounds that represent something meaningful—and they’re an important part of early language development.
This bundle includes 20 symbolic sound flashcards, focusing on:
- Environmental sounds (like “choo-choo” or “tick-tock”)
- People sounds (like “achoo” or a pretend cough)
These sounds are often easier to produce than words and feel more natural during everyday activities. They work beautifully during:
- Play
- Routines
- Transitions
- Interactive reading
Like the exclamatory words, these cards can be used during play or organized into a book or ring for children who benefit from repetition and structure. A datasheet is included, along with a blank version so you can personalize it for your child or students.
Flexible, Low-Prep, and Easy to Use
One of the best things about this bundle is how flexible it is.
You can:
- Use the cards during play
- Pull out just a few at a time
- Follow the child’s lead
- Focus on connection, not performance
There’s no “right” way to use these materials. The goal isn’t perfect imitation—it’s shared moments, engagement, and communication in whatever form that takes.
A Great Place to Start
If you’ve been feeling unsure about where to begin with expressive language, this bundle gives you a clear, supportive starting point.
Symbolic sounds, animal sounds, and exclamatory words meet children where they are—and help build a strong foundation for communication, one joyful sound at a time.
If you like this resource, check out these other activities geared toward little learners with autism:
Animal Sounds for Little Learners
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