Communication Gap!

I have been travelling so sorry for being out of the loop and not updating. Things have been relatively smooth sailing which is a good thing. We have discovered one thing that may have been causing some of Akins outbursts and that is a very simple thing called communication. Akins began often saying things like "quiet what" or "rules what" or "hurry what". We just thought it was another way of being defiant because of the way it was stated. Then one night I said "okay quiet time now I love you" and he says "what Mommy-O" I said "I love you" he said "no that other thing". Puzzled for a moment I had to think and then I said "quiet"? and he says "yes, quiet what"? Thinking for a moment I said "What does quiet mean"? He says "yes"? Wow - what a mind blower because I have said this same phrase every night for over a year. So, I explained to him what quiet means. He was satisfied and off to sleep he goes. Since that night and me realizing he has not understood that word this whole time and yet has just rolled along as if he did. Now when he says "..... what" we promptly explain. Also, we have learned to explain before he asks. As we talk about things we say "do you know what that means or do you know what that is"? Based on his response we make sure he gets it before we move on. Interestly, enough since that evening his moods and tantrums have calmed tremendously. My theory is some of his mood was driven out of frustration. I hope I am right.