Will My Non Verbal Autistic Child Ever Speak?

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If you’re wondering, “Will my non verbal autistic child ever speak?” the answer depends on a lot of factors. First and foremost, you will have to learn about your child’s autism.

Approximately 25 to 35 percent of children on the autism spectrum are minimally verbal. Even if your kid belongs to this percentage, it doesn’t mean there’s no hope for your child to ever speak fluently. In this recent study, up to 70 percent of the 535 participants learned how to form simple sentences by age four. Even better, 47 percent became fluent speakers.

On top of speech therapy, it would also help to look at programs designed to boost cognitive function, like Brain Retrain. This non-invasive and drug-free approach uses audio neurofeedback to stimulate the parts of the brain responsible for many skills needed for speech.

Will My Non Verbal Autistic Child Ever Speak?

With specific treatments and being consistent with therapy, a nonverbal child with autism can learn how to speak. For that to happen, it’s essential to understand the underlying symptoms and the diagnostic criteria. Depending on what other health conditions a child has, there may be other reasons preventing them from speaking.

What Causes Autistic Children To Become NonVerbal?

Some people confuse semi-verbal autistic children with being nonverbal. In reality, those on the spectrum who don’t talk are considered nonverbal.

The first step to determining if your autistic child will ever speak is to find out what is blocking their speech. Some kids on the spectrum tend to suffer from apraxia, while others may experience echolalia. Despite how scary their names are, they don’t always mean a child will stay nonverbal.

Apraxia

Apraxia is a speech sound disorder where the child has trouble saying what they want. It’s a neurological disorder that affects brain pathways controlling speech patterns. The information a child wants to say is processed in the brain, but it doesn’t come out when they try and speak.

This recent study found that autism and apraxia have overlapping clinical features and a common genetic background. So, it’s crucial to get a professional to determine both diagnoses.

Echolalia

Echolalia is where a child may produce a meaningless repetition of words or phrases. Often, children with autism will get fixated on utterances and will mumble to themselves things they’ve seen or heard.

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How Is Nonverbal Autism Diagnosed?

Nonverbal autism is different from ASD, as nonverbal children can’t form speech. For a diagnosis, you’d have to bring your child to a pediatrician, and they would first have to diagnose him with autism.

From there, the pediatrician and other healthcare providers will request tests to rule out other symptoms. A doctor will conduct physical examinations, blood testing, and MRI/CT scans.

Once it can be determined that there aren’t any other underlying health issues, they will perform two tests. First is the Childhood Autism Rating Scale Third Edition (GARS-3). The other is the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2).

How Is Nonverbal Autism in Children Treated?

Treating nonverbal autism can be a bit tricky because each case is different. Some will respond better to certain types of treatment, so it’s best to be familiar with all kinds of options.

Speech-Language Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps young children and adults with ASD learn new skills. Speech therapy is often the most effective for nonverbal children on the spectrum, as it’s designed to strengthen communication skills.

The treatment targets receptive language, expressive language, and social communication. On top of that, it will also strengthen reading and spelling. To find a speech therapist near you, you can refer to The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association ProFind page.

Applied Behavior Analysis

Another viable treatment is applied behavior analysis or ABA. Modern ABA uses play-focused positive reinforcement to help teach skills to ASD children. It may be best to use ABA before speech therapy. In severe cases, an autistic child may need help learning how to make sounds first.

ABA will help nonverbal children improve speech in small steps. They may start by teaching a kid how to make a slight sound, then form the alphabet, words, and so on. ABA can also teach communication skills and strengthen speech.

How To Encourage Verbal Behavior

Aside from therapy, parents can do things around the home to encourage speech. Communication can be facilitated through body movements, imitation, and babbling. If a young child exhibits nonverbal behavior or has been diagnosed, then implementing these behaviors can help.

1. Use body language.

One form of communication is body language. Children on the spectrum are visual learners, and relating tones and sounds to specific physical actions can help them remember and process what’s going on.

2. Allow imitation.

In general, children learn a lot by watching and mimicking sounds and movements. Even autistic kids tend to reproduce their parent’s mannerisms. Talking to your child can help encourage speech or at least allow them to get used to the context of sounds.

3. Learn to babble.

Another fun method of getting a nonverbal child to speak is to incorporate babbling. Some nonverbal kids will produce mumbling noises. Babbling is making a silly noise or sound.

Incorporating these extra sounds can encourage kids to build muscle and practice certain noises. Aside from that, babbling can also be fun and playful, which younger children seem to like.

4. Reinforce speech.

Even if you’re taking your child to speech therapy or ABA, it’s a good idea to reinforce what they’ve learned at home. Positive reinforcement can be an extremely effective tool for communicating with your child.

Positive reinforcement is where you reward your child with encouragement, treats, or stickers right after producing a correct response. For example, if your child uses words to say “Water please,” instead of just mumbling or pointing, you reward him. Give him water and provide him with a reward such as a piece of candy or praises.

5. Strengthen nonverbal behavior.

Even though you’re trying to teach your child verbal speech, it’s best to encourage nonverbal communication at the same time. Having a repertoire of gestures and eye contact can build a good foundation for language.

Use your body language and demonstrate what type of nonverbal communication is acceptable. When doing so, use your voice to help connect verbal cues with nonverbal communication.

For example, when you point to something, you can say, “Can I please have ___.” or, “Look.” By demonstrating appropriate behavior, a child with ASD will be more likely to remember due to the visual cues.

6. Provide him with many opportunities for communication.

Some parents tend to over-stimulate their children by talking and filling the silence. While this may be ideal for other children, a kid with autism can easily become overwhelmed. They are already struggling to understand and process the first few things you said. If you fill the silence with more words, they will be frustrated and will not keep up with what’s going on.

Give your child time to respond and let them know it’s okay for them to take time to think. Allow them to communicate on their own terms and provide them with plenty of opportunities to do so.

7. Use your child’s interests.

When your child is doing something, try and narrate what they are doing. You don’t have to explain in sentences; saying a few words here and there is enough. For example, if your child is playing with a toy car, you can tell them that the vehicle is driving.

Another example is if your child is scribbling, you can say the word “drawing.” It may not seem like it, but those short narrations have a lasting impact on a child. When repeated multiple times, the sounds will become more retained, and he will understand their meaning.

8. Use visual aids and devices.

Assistive technology and visuals can seem like they would hinder speech when, in truth, they help foster word learning. Some devices include read-along books, tablets, or video games. Others use visual supports, such as pictures that indicate specific requests.

9. Use programs such as Brain Retrain.

Brain Retrain is a clinically proven program that uses sounds to help stimulate regions of the brain that control learning and behavior. Using auditory neurofeedback, a study found that children with ASD saw significant positive changes in how the brain functions afterward.

The program is effective with both speaking and writing after intense exposure. Complete repetition of sessions will help reinforce and strengthen communication skills if used at least 30 minutes a day.

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Encouraging Speech in Children With ASD

Nonverbal behavior makes communication between you and your ASD child challenging. That missing intimacy can be frustrating at times, and you may feel like you’re not doing enough for your kid. However, there are plenty of treatment options that can help steer a child with autism toward the right track.

Building a strong bond with your child while encouraging both nonverbal and verbal behavior will help strengthen communication. Speech therapy and ABA can also help strengthen any communication barriers your child is struggling with. At home, you can try programs like Brain Retrain to help improve your child’s cognitive function.

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