Voices Without Words: Supporting Communication in Nonspeaking Autism (disability and SEN)

By Erik Müller

Autism is a spectrum condition marked by differences in social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of behaviour and thought. Within this spectrum, a significant number of autistic individuals are categorised as nonspeaking , minimally speaking , or unreliably speaking . These terms challenge the reductive and often misleading label of "nonverbal," which inaccurately suggests an absence of language or communicative intent. Nonspeaking refers to individuals who do not use speech as their primary mode of communication. This does not imply a lack of understanding or intelligence; rather, it reflects differences in motor planning, sensory integration, or anxiety that affect spoken language production. Minimally speaking individuals may use a few spoken words or phrases but do not rely on speech for expressive language in most contexts. Unreliably speaking individuals can sometimes speak fluently and at other times are unable to do so, often due to factors such as stress, sensory overload, or neurological variability.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F6CTYJS8
• ISBN13: 9798281300704
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 135 Pages
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.5" x 8.3"