My journey with autism began long before my diagnosis on the age of three years and three months.
My family looked Autistic features About 15 months of age. I never checked out the people nor answered when called. Instead of twiddling with them, I lined the toys. When I wanted something, I took people's hand to get for myself. I used to melt repeatedly in a busy environment or when routines were unexpectedly changing, but I couldn't tell people why I used to be fearful.
I used to be diagnosed later Autism. My family was upset to listen to that I’d probably never give you the option to live free or all my life.
But my mother didn’t waste any time to administer Support. Soon, my days were crammed with home -based deep behavior programs, speech therapy and other support. But unfortunately, I never learned to talk.
But I learned to speak in one other way
An essential turning point got here once I was nine. I began learning the way to communicate with a form The promoter and alternate communication Known as generally known as Support. I type on a keyboard machine, called A Light WriterWhat I type. Another person touches my shoulder once I type. This touch helps me to tell my body, and help me give attention to communicating my message.
I used auxiliary typing in class and now on the university, where I’m a PhD candidate. I’m Research Neurodite in autistic individuals with minimal, incredible, or no speech, or complex communication and high support requirements.
With supported typing, I’m in a position to live a life more life, in order that Tedx conversationOne of the primary by a non -speaker, and to jot down My biography. I used auxiliary typing to jot down this text.
How common is it not for an autistic person to speak?
Autism affects that folks know, talk and know the world. Autistic people show differences in social communication in addition to narrow interests, resembling Lego or trains.
In 2022, there have been there 290,900 Autistic Australian. Approximately one -third Non -speaking.
This is a non -speaking autistic community Socially weak And often experience non -acceptance and discharge. As a member of this community, I’m driven to interrupt some myths.
Matrick 1: We don't use the language
Autistic non -speakers cannot use speech for conversation. But a lot of us are verbal, that’s, we understand and use the language.
I’m a visible thinker, and I understand my world in pictures and photos. Initially, speech was just without meaning. At the age of six, Six, I spotted that words were used to represent things and communicate. By lining people's speech to their behavior, I started to know the symbolic nature of the language, which helped me talk.
Due to the differences of sensory and mobility, autistic individuals with complex communication requirements Help needed Talk, take routine activities and participate socially.
For example, physical contact with our hands, arm or shoulders Provides feedback Help the photographs, spelling or type to assist us at our position, balance and movement. Assistant employees also help us to focus and keep calm so we are able to talk.
Matk 2: We don't understand your mind
Autistic people, especially those that have complex communication requirements, require time beyond regulation to de -code, make sense and experience abstract meaning.
But over time, many autistic non -speakers can sympathize and understand the minds of other people.
This may include use Social stories To understand mental and emotional conditions. They teach us about social conditions and the way to participate. They will be used to elucidate what to anticipate ahead of time. They may give us time to practice and we are able to attract them throughout the real life situation.
For example, when someone first met, we could also be overwhelmed. We use a social story to search out out what to anticipate, sit at a snug distance to introduce yourself, ask questions and answer them. The story helps to act on our recent information, and suggests the way to tell people once we are more burdensome and wish a chilly space space.
Giving us time, space and permission to take motion on social conditions helps us to go to the social life.
Mutk 3: We scream for no reason, compatible and sometimes scream or run away
Autistic people, especially with complex requirements of communication, can Feel unsafe in a busy environment. For example, people cause shiny light or noise and wandering around. This results in a low potential to extend the extent of stress and respond appropriately.
Autistic Non -speakers can use different Strategies to handle overload And reduce this sensory discomfort. It includes lying, blinking or looking at the rotating objects, stares at staring, stares at the nice emotions, in addition to shouting, spinning, spinning, or binding our bodies to revive a way of balance. This behavior allows us to administer ourselves.
However, when this strategy is insufficient, autistic non -speakers can behave in unconventional ways resembling screaming, running or melting.
Such behaviors don’t arise because we don’t think the way to work properly. They are found once we feel extremely insecure and upset to demand the situation.
When a quiet place is obtainable, we’ll give you the option to chill and regain feelings of safety and control with none support. Related to behavior.
Next time
So the following time you meet an autistic one that doesn't talk, please meet us half a way. Give us time and space to take into consideration motion and responding.