Toddlers and "NO"

Mr 2.5 has decided he is going to say no to everything and refuse to do anything even things like would you like this ends In a stubborn no or asking him to do something.
I'm guessing this is a normal stage if learning independence or he's picked it up from daycare but is there any way to guide it? He hasn't really developed speech much he only says one word not sentences and doesn't talk much but I still try to explain things to him in a normal sentence.
Prior to this he's been a very quiet, caring, helpful, obedient and cuddly little boy.

Hugs!
I think it is a phase which they will grow out of. Both my dd went through it and dd2 (22 months) is going through the tantrum no stage at the moment.

I usually just 1. Give her options, 2. Let her know the consequences.

Example, do you want toast or cheerios?

Consequences: put your shoes on? No!
Ok we wont be going for a walk then (then i will pretend to get ready for a walk)

Given this she still can sneak in the continuous no no no no no! Lol

My 16month old has just started this! She just likes saying 'no' I think cos she even says it when she means yes sometimes.

They all do it. =) Spock started months ago. Also only recently meant no itms.
We've always treated her no with respect. Eg "no tickling!" We stop. "No bread!" We dont give her bread with tea. That way she learns the consequences, and often will then think and want the item, eg ahe sees us eating the bread she then asks for some. We explain she said no and thats why she didnt get it etc... weve found this helps her take our no seriously too, so when we do say no to her ahe stops and thinks about what she is doing.
I also always give her 2 options, mainly when getting dressed, ill pull out 2 pants and say 'blue pants or brown pants?" Some days she will still say 'no pants!' But that is rare, and then iwait 5 mins (if theres time) and try again explaining we need to get dressed so we can...what ever we are doing