Aboutone thirdof children with autism are non-verbal. This means they never learn to speak more than a few words in their lives.
Why doesn't my autistic child speak?
There can be a few reasons why a child with autism might not speak. The main aspect of identifying non-verbal autism is determining whether the person speaks clearly or with disturbances.
While there are people with autism who have difficulty holding conversations, they are not non-verbal autistic. Those who are not verbaldo not say anything.
Let's look at the reasons. Autistic children may later lose the ability to speak if the disorder's symptoms get worse over time.
The person can also sufferapraxia. This can cause the person not to be able to say what they want.
Autistic people can suffer from this too.ecolalia, which is the repetition of words and phrases. It can also make clear communication difficult.
Read: How to treat echolalia in a child with autism
In addition, there are social, behavioral, and developmental symptoms of nonverbal autism.
Social symptoms:Difficulty in social interaction is a typical symptom of autism spectrum disorder. individuals in generalAvoid visual contact. They don't respond when called by name. This can make the person feel excluded and isolated and can lead to depression.
Development symptoms:each individual issingle. All people with autism develop at a different pace. Although a child may develop at a typical pace, after the age of 2 or 3, their developmental progress may be slowed down. This can also be the case when speaking.
Behavioral symptoms:People with autism follow routines. Interruptions in these routines or schedules can upset them. Some have really specific interests and obsessions with specific objects and subjects. They may have a short attention span, causing their attention to shift from one thing to another, which can interfere with communication. Behavioral symptoms are really different for everyone.
Not everyone has the same symptoms, and symptoms may improve with age as they become less bothersome and less severe.
Through speech therapy and language interventions, with correct and ongoing help and support, non-verbal autistic children can become verbal in a timely manner.
A two year old non-verbal autistic.may not respond when your name is calledA non-verbal autistic, three years old.must not pretendA four year old non-verbal autistic.may repeat words and phrases that have no meaningA five-year-old non-verbal autisticmay have difficulty interpreting gestures in the communication environment.
causes of autism
Finalcause of autismis still being studied. However, research suggests that there is no single cause for the disorder.
Autism appears to develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
These factors have been found to affect and increase a child's risk of developing autism spectrum disorder. An increased risk does not mean that the person will definitely develop the disorder.
Some of the people who have risk factors associated with autism do not have the disorder.
Studies suggest that the disorder:
- could be inherited
- May result from abnormal levels of chemicals in the brain
- May be caused by an infection or the effects of an environmental toxin
Genetic risk factors:Genetics have been found to affect the risk of some forms of autism. It is known that if a person has a sibling or parent with ASD, they are more likely to develop the disorder. Additionally, some disorders have been linked to autism spectrum disorders. genetic diseases likefragile X syndromeare included in these Terms.
Environmental risk factors:Some experts suggest that exposure to heavy metals and toxins in the environment can increase your risk of developing ASD. Also,Centers for Disease Control and Preventionnotes that children of older parents are at greater risk of developing autism spectrum disorder. Certain prescription drugs, such as thalidomide and valproic acid, have also been linked to the development of autism.
As you can see, both genetics and environmentit coulddetermine whether or not a child will develop autism. autism isNOcaused by vaccines.
A large body of research on the subject has concluded that the disorder is not caused by vaccines. The infamous 1998 study suggesting a link between autism and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been debunked multiple timesretired in 2010.
Diagnosis of non-verbal autism
There is no single specific test that diagnoses nonverbal autism. A multi-step procedure is performed to diagnose the fault.
When your child sees the pediatrician, he is the first healthcare professional to test for ASD. Parents and caregivers will bring their concerns to the doctor if they notice any symptoms.
The pediatrician could then order several tests to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms in question. They may perform physical exams, blood tests, and MRIs or CT scans.
Pediatricians refer your child to a specialist if they suspect an autism spectrum disorder. Specialists will assess the medical history of both the child and the parents.
After all of the extensive testing, autism-specific tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis of the disorder.
These tests includeChildhood Autism Rating Scale Third Edition (GARS-3)YObservation Plan for the Diagnosis of Autism, Second Edition (ADOS-2)They help doctors determine whether a child has nonverbal autism.
Do autistic children talk non-verbally?
One40% of autistic children do not speak. Some others can speak and also have limited language and communication skills.
Babbling occurs when a newborn is practicing speaking. They open and close their mouths, move their tongues in different ways.
in typical developmentYou drinkthey chatter, they start their language development early.
People with autism sometimes produce certain nonsensical speech sounds. these are calledJargon. Sometimes these are self-stimulating behaviors.
In general, they are not used to communicating with other people. The babbling rate in non-verbal autistic islowcompared to their typically developed peers.
However, in an autistic child with speech and language delay, babbling may be a precursor to language.
Investigationsuggests that most nonverbal 4-year-olds with autism can develop spoken language if they have relatively strong social involvement and do not have an intellectual disability.
When a child with nonverbal autism babbles along with eye contact or gestures toward other people, this behavior can be edited to be used as a tool for meaningful social and communicative exchange.
When is it decided that an autistic child is verbal/non-verbal?
Each individual develops at their own pace. However, the searchintroducedthat between a third and a half of parents of autistic children noticed problems before their child's first birthday. Also, about 80-90% had problems before the child was 2 years old.
There are certain symptoms that could indicate that the child has verbal/non-verbal autism. Here are some:
- Does not respond to its name at 1 year old.
- No babbling to parents or caregivers at age 1 year.
- No pointing in sight at 14 months old
- Not imitating parents or caregivers at 18 months of age
- repeat words over and over
- waving hands
- Swing from side to side
- I prefer to be alone
- Avoid visual contact
- Failure to reach developmental milestones related to speech and language.
How to teach an autistic child to speak
While there is no cure for autism, there are therapies and interventions that can help people communicate.
It is important to remember that each child is unique. An effort that works for one child may not be helpful for another.Also, although a child with autism can learn to communicate, it doesn't always have to be through spoken language.
With the help of therapy and support, people with nonverbal autism can lead full and comfortable lives.
Here are some of the treatment options for non-verbal autism:
Medicine:There is no drug that specifically cures autism. However, certain medications can help alleviate associated symptoms and conditions. The child may have anxiety or depression, and medication can help.
Advice:Counseling parents and caregivers, as well as siblings of the person with autism, can really benefit from therapy. Through counseling, they can learn how to approach the situation for positive outcomes and deal with the challenges of non-verbal autism.
Education:Children with autism respond very well to structured sessions. These sessions can help them develop skills and behaviors that are beneficial for communication. They can acquire social and language skills, continue their education and work on their development.
What does the future hold for non-verbal children?
Non-verbal children with autism could live a comfortable and quality life. It is important that, with the right help, they acquire the necessary skills to lead a normal life.
Although non-verbal, children with autism use other methods to communicate. Some strategies we will discuss here can be used to leverage and complement these methods.
Not being able to communicate should not be seen as a setback, but as a challenge that can be overcome. While there is no magic bullet to achieving language, your child can achieve a lot with your support.
Once they understand and learn to express their feelings, verbally or otherwise, they will have a more positive attitude towards communication.
At what age do autistic children speak?
Autistic children with verbal communication generally reach verbal milestones later than typically developing children.
While children typically produce their first words between 12 and 18 months of age, autistic children do so at an average of 36 months. As each autistic child has a unique development, the age at which he produces his first words varies.
Until recently, parents and caregivers of children with autism were deluded into thinking that if they didn't do it by age 4 or 5, their child would never speak.
However, a recent study showed that most of the children who participated in the study had acquired language skills, and almost half of them were fluent. More than 70% could speak in simple sentences. This suggests that language-delayed children with autism may eventually develop language.
nonverbal autism recovery
There is no "cure" or "recovery" for autism. It is a lifelong condition that affects important aspects of the individual. However, it is possible to treat the signs and symptoms.
Early intervention and treatment support can improve the individual's quality of life. You can learn new skills related to language and communication, as well as behavior.
Techniques to support children's non-verbal communication
There are certain techniques you can try to encourage your non-verbal child to communicate. Here are some:
Encourage social interaction and play:Play, especially role-playing games, is a great tool for teaching children language skills. This creates fun ways for your child to communicate. You can also try certain activities like singing to encourage social interaction. Help your child see and hear you better during these activities.
Be patient:You may feel the need and urgency to fill in the blanks when your child doesn't respond right away. However, it is important to give the child the opportunity to organize his thoughts and communicate. This doesn't always have to be done by talking. But if you ask a question, wait a few seconds. Watch your child for the sounds and gestures he makes. If they try, respond right away so they understand and feel like you're communicating.
Include your child's areas of interest:Be sure to include things and topics that interest your child in your communication efforts. Don't break your concentration and go with them. Describe what they do with the object of interest. By including what your child is incorporating into these activities, he is more likely to connect what he has learned to objects and expand his vocabulary with the things he loves.
Technology:There are several assistive technologies and vision aids on the market. Its purpose is more than just replacing the language. You can also use picture cards that work in a similar way. You can also encourage the development of this skill. Devices and applications with images and sounds that allow the child to interact with the object can help the child to produce words in a timely manner.
Otsimo is a big help in this area as the app contains hundreds of games designed to motivate children and help them learn skills including speech and language.
Read: 10 language exercises to do at home
Join over 200,000 families!
Let's communicate better!
Free download.
Certified Speech Therapy App
developed with SLP.
How to Communicate with an Autistic Child Non-Verbally
There are numerous ways to encourage non-verbal communication with your autistic child.
They are not a substitute for speech therapy or other interventions designed specifically for your child's needs. But they can be a great support at home, things you can do to establish communication with your child.
To speak:Keep talking to your child. describe things to them Include them in conversations and don't leave them out as if they weren't there. Your child will still be able to learn from this activity.
Use simple language:Avoid sentences with many words. Try using one or two word phrases. Once your child can use one-word sentences, he can use two-sentence sentences to give directions or describe something. It will help them improve without overwhelming them.
Make the most of game time:Play is an amazing tool to entertain and exercise with children. During the game you have the opportunity to communicate. Playing with toys can encourage imitation. You can also include fun activities like singing or dancing to encourage social interaction.
Go in different ways:Nonverbal children with autism may express their emotions in ways other than speech, such as dance, art, hand gestures, and body movements. You can try to help them express themselves better through activities like finger painting or sensory activities.
Technology at your disposal:As mentioned above, there are a number of apps and devices that can help with technology. You can use them on your smartphone or tablet as a supporting communication device.
Read: How to use Otsimo speech therapy in children with articulation disorders
Imagine your child:Sit directly across from your child at eye level. This puts you in their field of vision where they can see your gestures, facial expressions and mouth movements. This also allows them to understand what you are communicating through your body language.
Tips to help your child find their voice
It's important to give your child the opportunity to find their voice while supporting them. They can show some initiative but may need guidance as they learn to express themselves.
There are some exercises you can practice to develop speech and encourage your child to express himself clearly.
Make an effort to speak:It's a difficult situation. But don't avoid including your child in the conversation. These conversational attempts can actually be beneficial for them to understand the practice.
keep it simple:Keep your sentences short and direct. Adjust the level of the conversation so that the child can sustain it. Wait until they are fully processed.
Pay attention to non-verbal cues:Being non-verbal doesn't mean your child doesn't communicate in other ways. Be aware of her behavior. Because children with autism have difficulty expressing themselves verbally, they engage in behaviors that can signal what they are trying to express verbally.
Do not press:Yes, sure, increase activity levels to push the limits of your child's abilities. But if you feel your child is overwhelmed, take a break and try again later at a better time. Children with autism have very specific routines and understand them.
Can a child be non-verbal and not autistic?
As we've mentioned many times before, children develop at their own pace. But there are some milestones they have reached in their growth.
Studies show that normally developing children usually produce their first words between 12 and 18 months of age. However, for children with autism, this rate is given as an average age of 36 months.
Speaking late does not necessarily mean an autism diagnosis. A child can be or have non-verbal skillsspeak latefor other unrelated reasons. Here are some:
- oral problems
- Speech and language disorders
- deafness
- neurological problems
- mental disability
- autism spectrum disorder
Signs My Autistic Child Will Talk
You might be wondering"Will my non-verbal autistic child speak?“. The answer to this question is not easy to give.
Investigationshows that 4-year-old nonverbal children who were not previously nonverbal could produce single words and sentences without verbs.
It is important to give your child the right support and help that meets his or her needs. If your child is babbling or trying to convey something through his behavior, get him involved and practice speaking.
Many parents and caregivers report success with these exercises at home, along with the help of professional interventions such as speech therapy.
Speech therapy for non-verbal children
Speech therapists can really help children with their speech and language problems. They will first assess how best to approach the situation. Here are some techniques used during child speech therapy:
- Use of image plates.
- sign or write
- Exercise your facial muscles to improve articulation.
- pitch modulation
- understand body language
In speech therapy it is theSocial Communicationand the child's behavior changes.
Caregivers and parents are also involved in the process to develop an approach that works best for the child. Certain techniques and their combinations are used in these sessions.
Read: Does my child need speech therapy?
Last updated: December 23, 2022