Communication
Communication is a fundamental aspect of our daily lives. It is how we convey our thoughts, wants, and needs to others. However, there are instances where individuals are deemed non-verbal.
This term is often associated with disability, particularly in the context of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Some non-verbal individuals don’t speak at all, while others use a limited vocabulary or alternative means of communication, like sign language or assistive technology.
Unfortunately, this often leads to the false assumption that they don’t understand what’s going on around them, or worse, that they lack intelligence.
In this article we’ll explore why non-verbal does not equal lack of intelligence or ability to comprehend.
My Experiences
First, let me say that I have become extremely passionate about educating people on this topic after having experiences with it in my own life.
My youngest son who is autistic was diagnosed as non-verbal when he was 2.
Even though people don’t expect toddlers to be great communicators, we still had many experiences where people implied that he must not be as intelligent as another child his age because he wasn’t talking yet.
As if how many words a toddler can use somehow is a standard for measuring their intellectual ability.
He was able to communicate, just not with words.
He communicated by using his ACC device, pointing at things he wanted, and making dramatic facial expressions to show his feelings among other things.
But people who didn’t know him, or see these things, would make the assumption he could not communicate at all.
Then make the additional assumption that he must not understand when others communicate to him either.
This really opened my eyes to the way people generalize communication and the misconceptions it can create.
The Older He Was, the Worse it Got
As he got older I noticed when people wanted to say something to him, they would talk to me.
As if they didn’t think he would understand just because he wasn’t communicating with words.
Then he would surprise them by responding in some way to what they said.
Surprise them, as in they did NOT expect him to comprehend their words, because he didn’t use his own.
Then when they found out he could read and write letters, numbers, and small words at age 4, it blew their minds.
Clearly, he was not only capable of comprehending information, but in some ways MORE so than other kids his age.
He just had a different way of communicating it.
It’s not that hard to imagine that as a non-verbal child becomes a non-verbal adult, that the assumed level of intelligence being compared to their ability to speak could be an even larger disparity.
Every Person is Unique
It is important to say that this is just my experience with one child.
All children, or adults, that are non-verbal will have different levels of comprehension, intelligence, and ways of communicating.
But the point is, just because they are unable to speak, does not mean they don’t understand, don’t have feelings, lack intelligence, or don’t have other ways of communicating that are also effective.
There are many types and ways people communicate their thoughts and feelings that we use everyday, but all of them are somehow completely ignored if verbal communication is not one of them.
If you are a parent that is new to raising a neurodivergent or atypical child and you are looking for more info on raising them, I have more in my other posts on that here
Misconceptions
It’s a common misconception that non-verbal individuals lack the ability to comprehend language or express their thoughts.
However, research has shown that this is not the case.
A study conducted by the University of Edinburgh found that non-verbal children with autism have the same levels of comprehension as those who can speak.
It’s just that they have difficulty with the expressive aspect of communication.
In some cases, such as the study conducted by researcher Dr. Laurent Mottron, non-verbal individuals have been found to have higher intelligence than their peers.
These individuals have often been able to demonstrate their cognitive skills through means like art, music, or technology.
Alternate Forms of Non-Verbal Communication
It’s essential to note that a lack of verbal communication does not mean a lack of communication altogether.
Non-verbal individuals often use other means to convey their thoughts and needs.
For example, they may rely on gestures, facial expressions, and body language to express themselves.
Additionally, many non-verbal individuals use assistive technology, such as text-to-speech software or communication apps, to communicate.
These alternative modes of communication may require more effort and time than speaking, but that doesn’t mean the individual doesn’t understand what’s happening around them.
For more information on Non-Verbal communication I found this article that does a great job of explaining forms of non-verbal communication we use everyday Here
Not Speaking ≠ Not Feeling
It’s also important to note that non-verbal individuals can experience emotions just like anyone else.
While they may not always express their emotions in a way that neurotypical individuals do, they still feel them.
Non-verbal individuals may struggle to communicate their feelings, which can be frustrating and distressing for them.
However, this doesn’t mean they lack emotional intelligence.
In fact, some non-verbal individuals have been found to be MORE empathetic and attuned to the emotions of others than their peers.
Unable to Speak ≠ Having Nothing to Say
Another factor to consider is that non-verbal individuals may have co-occurring conditions that affect their ability to communicate, such as apraxia or dysarthria.
These conditions affect motor skills and coordination, making it challenging to speak.
Just because someone can’t speak doesn’t mean that they don’t want to.
The inability to speak can be incredibly isolating and frustrating, particularly when others assume that the individual lacks intelligence.
Stop Making Assumptions
Non-verbal individuals are often misunderstood, and it’s essential to recognize their intelligence and abilities.
Being non-verbal does not equal a lack of intelligence or ability to comprehend.
Non-verbal individuals use alternative means to communicate, and it’s important to honor and respect their unique modes of communication.
So let us all break the generalization, stop making such hurtful assumptions, and recognize that every individual has their unique abilities, strengths, and intelligence.
