#nonspeaking communication

[clownrecess]

How I communicate besides my device (Tw for mentions of shutdowns and catatonia)

I want to talk about how I communicate. Obviously, I use my AAC device for the most part, but I communicate in other ways too, depending on how coinvent it is.

A few minutes ago, my mother told me she was going to Mcdonalds to get a Capuchino, and asked if I wanted a Frappuccino, so I nodded, and then stretched my arms upward to show that I wanted a large one. This is one of the ways I communicate, body language and gestures. Gestures are really useful for me, because if I am communicating a simple idea, such as "I want a large Frappuccino", it is faster than using my device.

I also make noises. If someone is doing something to me that I don't like, I might make a noise that people associate with "no", such as "Mm-mm", or "Mhm" if I am saying yes. Someone touching my device without consent? Making a noise that means no, and pulling away is a good way I communicate that they need to stop.

I also type, because sometimes typing is a better option than my device. For example if I am currently in a catatonic state due to a shutdown, it is a lot easier for me to type a few simple words like "I go now, hurt" in my phone, rather than finding those buttons on my device.

And guess what? Everything I just described is a form of AAC!

AAC is more than just high tech devices like mine. AAC is also gestures, noises, typing, communication cards, pointing, etc.

[butchfalin]

the funniest meltdown ive ever had was in college when i got so overstimulated that i could Not speak, including over text. one of my friends was trying to talk me through it but i was solely using emojis because they were easier than trying to come up with words so he started using primarily emojis as well just to make things feel balanced. this was not the Most effective strategy... until. he tried to ask me "you okay?" but the way he chose to do that was by sending "👉🏼👌🏼❓" and i was so shocked by suddenly being asked if i was dtf that i was like WHAT???? WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?????????? and thus was verbal again

[autball]

When you can’t show what you know, people assume you just don’t know anything.

At least that’s how it works for most autistic kids who can’t speak, or can’t control their bodies as much as they’d like to, or can’t answer things “fast enough,” and so on. Because the people who give the tests really don’t want to entertain the idea that their tests might just be garbage sometimes.

Non-speakers who have gained access to communication later in life all tell a similar story: that they experience a mind-body disconnect that makes it hard for them to control their own bodies. That means that they struggle to perform tasks on command, whether it comes from other people or their own minds, and that their bodies will just do things that the person didn’t even mean to do.

And despite the growing number of people who are able to share these stories, most of the People In ChargeTM are still operating under the assumption that if you can’t answer a question or follow an instruction correctly, it’s because you didn’t understand it.

Which means that kids who can’t show what they know because their bodies won’t cooperate are assumed to just not know anything.

Which means they never get to move to the next level of education.

Which means there are millions of children who languish in educational settings that are not academically challenging enough for them- because the problem they have with their bodies is assumed to be a problem with their mind.

But the inaccessibility of assessments is the problem here. As well as the assumptions people make about those who are thought of as “low functioning.” As well as the fact that the majority of autistic kids who can’t speak are still not given alternative means of communication soon enough, if at all.

We can do better. Presume competence. Treat communication like a basic human NEED and a RIGHT, not an optional privilege to be earned. And believe the people who keep telling us as soon as they can, “It’s our bodies, not our minds!”

NOTE: I’ve been wanting to do something on this for a while, and this particular cartoon came together a couple weeks ago while I was listening to “Ido in Autismland” by Ido Kidar. Please do check it out, along with the work of other non-speakers, to learn more about this experience from the people who actually live it. 

https://www.amazon.com/Ido-Autismland-Climbing-Autisms-Silent/dp/0988324709

https://www.amazon.com/Autistic-Boy-Unruly-Body-Autism/dp/B0B7XF3CVT

https://neuroclastic.com/directory-of-nonspeaker-pages-blogs-media/

[tobytalksaac]

Reminder that AAC device/mobility aid does not ruin your outfit!

[pixierainbows]

Pixie give up . Autism people too angry refuse to stop say “going nonverbal” . refuse to listen … and Pixie just . Can not any more . Crying so much upset so much nobody care at all … just How very very different is to never be able speak … not AT ALL same as losing Mouth words sometimes .

pixie all done being talked over and ignored and yelled at and told go kill pixie self … pixie WISH could just stop exist …

pixie ALL DONE .

from now on . People who miss use actually nonverbal words, Pixie just BLOCK . not care If mean Pixie not welcome in autism community anymore , Pixie never been welcome by community pixie Never welcome by speaking autism people anyway .

is no safe place for Pixie . :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

[pxppet]

Mute people are humans worthy of respect.

Non-speaking people are humans worthy of respect.

Semi-speaking people are humans worthy of respect.

People with disorganized speech are humans worthy of respect.

Deaf people who don't speak are humans worthy of respect.

Autistic, disabled, mentally ill and all of it. We deserve to be treated like and thought of as real people with as much to offer as other humans. The lack of speech doesn't make us "useless" or "stupid" or "like talking to a lamp." Mute people of any kind have just as many thoughts and feelings and actions to offer as those who speak.

Life is still worthwhile and peace and happiness are attainable for us. We will find people who care to make the effort for us to be understood. You will feel yourself breathe softly again some day. You deserve it.

[neuroticboyfriend]

this is from the last post i reblogged, but here are alternatives to "going nonverbal" or "going nonspeaking:"

verbal shutdown

loss of speech / speech loss

situational speech loss

if anyone knows any others, feel free to add on. if you don't understand why alternatives are needed, please see the linked post; it's a long one which is why i made another post with the alternatives, but even just reading part of it shows you why.

be kind to your neurodivergent and disabled peers.

[holierthanth0u]

i dont expect much traction here, but out of curiosity: if you are nonverbal/semiverbal or experience verbal shutdown, are you still able to audibly laugh?

personally during verbal shutdown i cant laugh, which makes me wonder about other peoples experiences.

EDIT: please be mindful that you cannot "go nonverbal", which is why the term verbal shutdown exists. if you are nonverbal/semiverbal, it means you are like that all the time. verbal shutdown is temporary. link

[nonspeakingkiku]

This is most of Kiku's low tech AAC stuff ☺️

ID: letterboards, coreboards, communication cards, and two PODD books spread out on a pink and purple crochet blanket. End ID

ID: Two PODD books on a pink and purple crochet blanket. End ID

ID: Five different color letterboards spread out on a pink and purple blanket. End ID

ID: Six communication boards layed out out on a pink and purple blanket. End ID

ID: Two LAMP words for life communication boards, one high contrast the other not.

ID: Three stacks of communication cards on a pink background. End ID

Kiku has a few other communication boards that are scattered through the house and Kiku didn't remember to get them and Kiku also has a picture card binder, a visual schedule, and 1 tactile symbol (want to have a whole collection one day). There might also be some other things that Kiku can't think of right now.

[autisticdreamdrop]

nonverbal communication is valid communication

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

Non-speaking and Autistic

The Autistic Teacher

[tobytalksaac]

Reminder not to change topic when you know AAC user is typing!!! Let us add to topic before continuing!

[parasight-selfships]

the autistic self shipper moment when your romantic f/o makes you so flustered you enter verbal shutdown

[arquaticdreamer]

New bluey communication cards

ID:

1. Silly picture of Bingo with phrase "I'm unreliably/Nonspeaking" on white background and blue border

2. Pink poodle bluey character waving hi with "my name is Cloud, I use He/They Pronouns" on white background and blue border

3. Short navy and grey puppy from bluey with blue tutu on stimming with phrase "I need space"

4. Bluey with mouth agape and hands close to mouth with phrase "I'm struggling to talk" white background blue border

5. Bingo fallen to knees and hands in air phrase says "I'm overstimulated"

6. White and brown girl puppy with teal glasses from bluey with phrase that says "Caregiver: Mizu" and blured out phone number below l. White background blue border

End ID: