Low Tech Yes and No Response

We were looking for a good way to for my non-verbal daughter to communicate so we started with a Yes and No response. After several techniques failed it seemed she had the most consistent response with the Yes No Answers app on the iPad. However, the iPad just isn't always available and we have lots of kids in the neighborhood that include Emma and they ask her questions and it's awkward for her to have me get in the way with an iPad for her to respond. It totally ruins the moment and then Emma ignores the iPad and me because there are kids around. So I decided to try a method that works well for another family that I know. It's low tech, super easy, and everyone including the kids can use it without any help. Let me tell you what we are doing. Basically, whoever wants to talk to Emma can ask her a question and then you hold out your right hand with your palm open facing her and your left hand fisted facing her and ask her yes (shaking right hand) or no (shaking left hand). Emma thinks about her response and then reaches out for the appropriate hand. It didn't take much time to get her to be very accurate with this method. And since we've been using this a few weeks now she knows which is Yes and No so we don't have to shake it anymore. I'm hoping that eventually we won't even have to say Yes and No when giving her the hand signal but that could come in time. For now I'm super excited that we have a method that Emma and that anyone can use with Emma. I created a card to laminate and attach to her wheelchair as an easy way to remind (or introduce if it's a new person) people about how Emma answer's questions.