The aim of this study was to examine how early symbolic forms (and their associated communicative functions) are related to change in communication among a sample of 12 young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who produced two or fewer spoken words ("M" age = 28.75 months; 11 male, 1 female). Parents reported on children's symbolic communication forms for 10 communicative functions at baseline and follow-up. Results indicated that on average reported symbolic forms changed over the 8-week period. Relative to children assigned to the nontrained symbol group, children assigned to the trained symbol group were significantly more likely to add a new symbolic form by follow-up. Contrary to authors' initial hypothesis, early gesture production at enrollment was not related to communication change. These findings provide information into the use of parent-report measurement to describe symbolic forms in young children with communication disability and highlight imitation as a frequently reported communicative function.