How can I nurture the ability to start conversations or ask questions?

Spontaneous exchange grows from the experience that "saying something makes fun or useful things happen." Devices help: deliberately wait a little before helping (put a wanted item slightly out of reach), show choices and let them choose, or slowly model a question. Don't rush the answer—wait a beat. At first, recognize pointing, gaze, or a card—not just words—as a step of "I communicated on my own."