How to Guide It may be true that I’m not good at eye contact or conversation, but have you noticed that I don’t lie, cheat at games, tattle on my classmates or pass judgment on other people? — Ellen Notbohm, author of international bestseller ‘Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew’   Language note: Although individual preferences exist, surveys of the autistic community consistently show that autistic people prefer identity-first language rather than person-first language (i.e., “autistic person” rather than “person with autism”). This article reflects the community’s language preference. In addition, the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network reports that the community preference is to refer to” nonspeaking” people rather than “nonverbal” because many autistic people who do not use speech to communicate use words to communicate in other ways. From an early age, we are taught to rely on speech as a primary means of communication with other people. However, some autistic people do not use spoken language as a means of communication, and others can stop speaking during periods of stress or burnout. They may also use limited words or struggle with stuttering. Some falsely assume that a nonspeaking autistic person is unable to make decisions about their life or care, or that a nonspeaking autistic person is less intelligent than those who use spoken language. What to Know About Raising Neurodivergent Kids? Alternative Language Not all nonspeaking autistic people are verbally mute. If the individual uses some sounds, ask them what sounds indicate certain words. Learn the language that works for them, and use that for communication. Adapting to their alternative language will allow you to understand their needs and let them communicate using the method that is comfortable for them. This, in turn, reduces stress, burnout, and risk for trauma for the autistic person. How Autistic People Communicate? The National Institute of Health estimates that approximately 25% to 35% of autistic people are either nonspeaking or minimally speaking, meaning that they can verbalize some words but do not primarily rely on speech to communicate. Some therapies and interventions emphasize making the autistic person use verbal language, but this is often harmful to the autistic person. Autism and Masking Often, neurotypical people who work with autistic people rely on treatments and interventions that encourage autistic people to “mask” or act in a more neurotypical way. Masking might make an autistic person behave in a way that is more consistent with neurotypical standards; however, research shows that holding autistic people to neurotypical standards rather than meeting their needs is stressful and causes autistic people to develop post-traumatic stress disorder at ten times the rate of non-autistic people. Some confuse non-speaking autism with selective mutism (or situational mutism as ‘selective’ implies choice. However, when an autistic person stops speaking due to burnout, this is related to fatigue while selective mutism occurs as a result of anxiety. When a nonspeaking autistic person never uses spoken language, this is also not related to anxiety but indicates a different communication style. However, nonspeaking autistic people can communicate effectively in other ways if those around them are willing to listen.2 Learn strategies to understand and communicate with nonspeaking autistic people below. How do people on the autism spectrum communicate? How autistic people on the spectrum communicate is as varied as the experience of autism itself. Communication is the exchange of information including ideas, needs, desires and feelings. Communication can also be made in written form and includes reading and writing. One of the core criteria for autism is defined as persistent difficulty with social communication and social interaction. Many children on the autism spectrum have a difference in their development of speech and language. For some, speech and language may be delayed, disordered, or may not develop. An absence of being able to understand language and express language using words and phrases may be the first indicator that an individual is suspected of having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Communication also includes the understanding and use of non-verbal communicative behaviours (e.g. eye-contact, and body use, including personal space as well as gestures). Types of communication include: Language: The way we represent information – what words mean and how we put them together. Receptive – the understanding of language Expressive – the use of language also known as sign language Speech: A verbal means of communicating – using sounds to make words. Non-verbal methods: gesture, facial, expression, eye contact, etc. Pragmatics: The way in which individuals use language in social situations. It includes following the ‘unspoken’ rules of conversations including turn-taking. Some people on the autism spectrum might find it hard to hold a conversation, or even start one. They can also have difficulty understanding facial expressions and inferring communicative intent based on context. If you’re on the autism spectrum and are good at talking, you generally take things literally and mean what you say. You may have been told that you are always very honest. It also may mean that you find it confusing when people use language to hide their feelings or use language in a way that doesn’t make their meaning clear. You might also be great at talking about your favourite topics, enthusiastically sharing lots of detailed information, or pointing out things that neurotypical people might not notice. There are, of course, challenges for people on the autism spectrum when it comes to communication. These can be minimal – like learning to recognise social cues – or impact significantly, making all forms of communication challenging. People with autism can also find it hard to filter out less important information and can become overwhelmed if too much information is presented. ‘Sensory overload’ can even happen through eye contact, which is why many people on the spectrum don’t like to make or hold eye contact with others. And even those who are good at communicating can miss the unspoken aspects of conversation, which can make the world a confusing and isolating place. How does autism impact communication? All people with autism experience ‘differences’ in communication, but the impact of these differences in everyday life varies. According to Speech Pathology