Makaton to communicate: "Sad"

Makaton to communicate her being "Sad". Suddenly Elyza come to the bed where I was taking a rest, climbed on her side of the bed, got under the cover, and started to cry. I asked her what's wrong, and she immediately responded "sad" in words as well as makaton signed sad. She then took my hand to her cheeks then to her eyes to wipe off her tears.

While I was happy that my 6 years old daughter with ASD is now able to communicate her emotion of being sad, it made me sad that she could not communicate further to explain the why, why was she sad, what triggered the sadness, how could I help make her sadness go away? The only thing I could do was to hug her, then let her be under the cover to self regulate, keeping one hand on her so she knew I was still around and here to support her no matter what.