Should I say: “Non-verbal” or “Non-speaking”???

The phrase “non-verbal” actually implies that a child or adult has no language and can not understand. Usually, people who use the term non-verbal do not mean it offensively but we need to change the narrative and to do this we need to use appropriate terms! Non-speaking children or adults may not be using oral (mouth) words but this doesn’t mean they do not have any language! We know that many of our gestalt language processors, Autistic friends and other people with syndromes store language in their minds even if they can’t always get the words out! If you’ve heard me say it once, you’ve heard me say it twice: we should ALWAYS PRESUME COMPETENCE! That means that we recognize that the person has the ability to learn, think and understand. The non-speaking community prefers to be called “non-speaking” and NOT “non-verbal”. Many Autistic individuals and individuals with Apraxia of Speech experience a disconnect between their mind and bodies meaning they have very intelligent and capable thoughts but their body’s motor planning does not always match what their thoughts want to convey. AAC (Alternative and augmentative communication) is really important for non-speaking individuals and includes all forms of communication other than oral words. It is a human right to have access to communication. You might have heard me say; “ We honor ALL forms of communication at Beach Speech Pediatric Therapy” meaning that we acknowledge and honor when a child uses gestures, hand leading, vocalizations, AAC, speech generating devices, pictures, facial expressions and mouth words. Many parents worry that AAC will harm their child’s ability to produce verbal speech. However, Research says that it actually enhances the ability to use mouth words and even if your child is speaking or minimally-speaking they can benefit from AAC. So let’s get into the habit of using the correct terms with respect for our loved one’s that may be having trouble using oral words for whatever reasons: Non-speaking or Minimally-speaking. We can do this together!