Nonverbal autism describes a set of symptoms within the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The term nonverbal is often misinterpreted as someone who cannot speak, communicate or lacks understanding of language. The fact is that some nonspeaking autistic individuals do have some ability to use words.
About 25-30% of autistic people are nonverbal or speak minimally. They generally communicate in different, less conventional and more creative ways. Nonverbal autism combines a mixture of creative communication and interaction skills while displaying no lack of understanding.
Many nonverbal autistic people can lead happy and full lives.
Nonverbal autism is most often diagnosed in childhood. Most doctors see that some development of language can come later than normal, between the ages of 5 and 7 years old and even later.
The 47% of autistic children after the age of 4, who had speech delays went on to become fluent in speaking, while 70% spoke using phrases, according to a 2013 study.
What is Nonverbal Autism?
Nonverbal or nonspeaking autism is not a specific diagnosis, but a personally described type of autism that is characterized by certain symptoms according to each individual.
Someone who has nonspeaking autism can often write and verbally communicate in other ways using special communication devices or by typing. Nonspeaking does not mean non-understanding or non-communicating.
Nonverbal autism could mean, a person who doesn’t speak with words and sentences in a spontaneous fashion that others readily understand. It could also be interpreted as having the skills to speak at certain times effectively while not at all in other times.
ASD affects different people in different ways. Someone with autism can have very normal abilities in many areas while having significant deficits and trouble in a certain area, like communication.
Nonverbal Autism Symptoms
People with nonverbal autism will demonstrate deficits with verbal skills. These symptoms can look different from one individual to the next and can include:
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using other forms of communication as a primary method and not relying spoken words
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won’t respond or initiate conversation in a spontaneous and natural manner
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lacking the use of full sentences when speaking or using only a few words
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communicating with sounds and not words (even though the meaning can be understood)
Nonverbal autism shares a diversity of communication methods which is why researchers are working to better describe and define it’s criteria. So many factors are at play that need to be further explored that could help bring about appropriate measures that would be useful in designing protocols for supporting the autistic community.
Causes
The development of autism is a complex question that hasn’t been fully understood by the most learned minds within this field.
Researchers have looked at autism in terms of its broad spectrum of how it affects certain areas of the brain and the speed of its development in days to weeks to months.
Some of the potential factors in how autism is developed can include:
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Genetics– it is more likely that a person will develop autism when a family member is diagnosed
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Chromosomal / Genetic disorders– certain developmental disorders like tuberous sclerosis and fragile X syndrome can raise the risk of developing autism.
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Infancy / pregnancy– an increased risk of autism comes from exposure to certain drugs while pregnant.
The claim that vaccines do factor into the causation of autism will likely continue to be an ongoing battle with those outside and within the established medical community.
According to the current research, language and verbal skill deficits cannot be predicted in an autistic child. But, it is agreed that early supportive intervention that involves play, imitation and attention activities can aid an autistic child in their communication skills as they grow.
Subscribing to more diligent, broad minded and honest scientific research in the future, that weighs all the variable factors from genetic, environmental, dietary, neurobiological and microbiome could make a difference in how the medical experts connect the dots. So to come up with improved medicines and promising therapies that will better serve those with ASD.
Diagnostic Criteria
There are many difficulties that must present themselves in order to meet the qualifications for an nonverbal autistic diagnosis. One single testing perimeter can not be used.
Some of the examples of behavioral difficulties could be:
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maintaining, understanding and developing social relationships
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talking about and sharing interests and demonstrating emotional maturity
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spontaneous exchange of communication with others
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displaying comfortability, understanding and response to social interaction
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making eye contact, having the inability to relate to body gestures and nonverbal communication
Other signs a person could show would be a narrow level of interests and repetitive behaviors like:
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being sensitive to light or sound due to sensory input problems
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needing a high degree of routine and showing rigidity to change
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being very focused in particular interests
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repetitive behaviors or movements in atypical manners
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behaviors are presented during early childhood
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behaviors presented as problematic must not be caused by head injury
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deficits must affect functioning and daily life in one or more areas
Early Childhood Signs
Autism can be seen early on in a child’s life. Some of the revealing signs could be:
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not using gestures while communicating by 12 months
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not understanding pointing by 18 months
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disinterested in other children
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not engaging in pretend play by 2.5 years of age
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not responding to their name by 9 months
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unable to maintain eye contact
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having delayed language skills all the time or that come and go
Treatment
Treatment options for ASD are designed to focus on the best ways to manage the condition. Having autism can sometimes mean requiring certain kind of special accommodations in school or at work.
More often than not, utilizing a combination of the following treatments can be beneficial:
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Psychotherapy– This type of therapy can help deal with the anxiety and depression brought on by their diagnosis. It can also help an autistic person better understand the condition along with other family members gain the skills necessary when giving care to an autistic child.
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Behavioral therapy– There are many kinds of therapy from, speech, cognitive behavioral, and occupational that can help an autistic person gain more functional and social skills while encouraging ways to become more independent.
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Medication– Autism can have several other conditions like anxiety and depression that can be involved with the diagnosis. Medication for these symptoms can be beneficial.
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Neurofeedback therapy– This EEG brainwave biofeedback can address some of the maladaptive brainwave states that are affected by autism. It offers a drug-free method of treating anxiety, depression, impulsivity and other symptoms that negatively impact an autistic brain. Neurofeedback is a great way to support all of the other types of therapies.
Living with nonverbal autism can be a challenge to both the person with the condition as well as to others when it comes to social interaction and communication. But, with early proper therapeutic support, certain accommodations, and an acceptance to a different approach to communication. Nonspeaking autistic people can live happy and fully independent lives.
-A Balanced Brain is a Better Brain-