Verbal, Nonverbal, and Autistic Language Development

I'm thinking this will likely be the first in a series of posts on autism and language development and choices.

Most people know that autism has something to do with language development. In the DSM-IV, a delay in language development was the single defining feature of High Functioning Autism compared to Asperger's Syndrome. In the current DSM-V, however, there are not multiple autism diagnoses, but instead, all are diagnosed as Autism Spectrum Disorder, regardless of language delay. However, as was historically, a large percentage- but certainly not all- of Autistics present with some sort of language delay as a child, or learn language atypically.

Once a child reaches about 15 months old, and still is not talking about 15 words, they are said to be "nonverbal." Non-verbal simply means that the child does not functionally communicate verbally. Functional language is considered language that can transmit information such as requests. So a 18-month old asking for "wawa" (water) is communicating functionally. A 15 month old seeing a ball, and yelling out "ball!" while, still significant language development, is only labeling the item (assuming that he/she does not want  the ball) and is not functional language.

Ace is considered non-verbal at 2 years of age. He babbles, and likes to say ooo or "woah" or "ow", and can label "cat" and most of his letters, but functionally, he does not speak. He is vocal, not verbal. So if you are under the impression that living in a house with a nonverbal child is quiet... it's not.

He does, however, functionally use sign language. He can even sign "TIME CHANGE DIAPER" which is a new development, but involves stringing signs together, which is developmentally on track for where 2-year-olds should be verbally. So when asked what language(s) he speaks, we say he uses American Sign Language and English, but he's non-verbal.

As stated above, not every autistic child will show language delays. I'm not sure when I started talking, but I do know that my mother said that my first word was "purse". Which, you may notice, is not an easy word to say, and isn't the typical mama/dada. This is the other side of the spectrum. Autistic kids tend to develop language atypically, whether that is identifying nouns like "cat" or "purse" long before "mama" or "dada", or not speaking at all for a few years.

It is very important, however, to remember that this is all about language development. Language is a way to communicate, but it is not the only way. When it comes to Autistics- both verbal and nonverbal- behavior is communication. So when an autistic child misbehaves, he/she is trying to communicate something to you. Perhaps it is overstimulation, perhaps it is that they are in pain. But whatever the reason for the behavior, there is a reason for the behavior. All autistics communicate. You just need to be patient, and figure out what is being communicated :).