Non Verbal Communication - Introducing AAC

Non Verbal Communication 

For many autistic people, verbal speech is not achieved.  This could be for a number of reasons, such as severe dyspraxia or other sensori-motor disruption.  

However we would like to point out here that there have been incidents where a child has grown up being non-verbal, thought to be due to their autism, when in fact it was due to unaddressed medical issues, unrelated to autism.    We therefore recommend establishing why a child is non-verbal.

Giving a person a suitable means to communicate is essential, however the communication method looks.  It is only with an effective means to communicate can someone demonstrate their intellect, make choices, find autonomy and have their basic human rights met.

A few famous Autistics like Carly Fleishman have shared their stories of how once they were given an AAC, they were able to truly have their needs met and opportunities to show their true intelligence and abilities . 

The main, wide one you may of heard of is AAC, (abbreviated  from Augmentive Alternative Communication) 

Some therapists, (as we often see with ABA) believe that the only valued method is verbal speech and spend considerable time using communication methods as a means to that end.  However this can be at the detriment of enabling a person to have an appropriate means of communication.   Also the Science community in some ways is still discovering some of these methods as AAC is a very under-addressed and under-researched area. However communicating with non-verbal autistic people, the benefits are clear and there is increasing evidence that AACs actually, almost incidentally, enhance and increase the likelihood of verbal speech.

The following articles introduce you to AAC

Simple AAC

What is beginning AAC?
Unspoken (documentary trailer)

This app is tremendous and free:
Snap Scene pathways

These facebook pages are great:

Small but kinda Mighty
We speak PODD
Emma's Hope Book
IDO in Autismland
Hold My Words
Praactical AAC
Uncommon Sense Blog

For more information or questions please join our facebook group 'Autistic Allies' and we can redirect you to some excellent guidance
Autistic Allies facebook group

Why Autistic Students need Autistic Role Models

Why Autistic Students need Autistic Role Models

Free speech therapy activities

Speech therapists can be an amazing help to your child.

 Unfortunately not everyone has access or the waiting list can be very long.

 So we have gathered some free activities to get you started.  We aim to keep adding when we see them ☺

 Remember to make them as fun as possible and take note when your kid is getting tired or frustrated.  Little and often is best



Disclaimer:  I am not a speech therapist, professional help is always preferable

Oral Sensory Exercises

The WH questions

Visual schedules

6 free speech online resources for kids

Some speech material ideas - Freebird

Vocabulary Resource Page

Free speech therapy resources

Free speech therapy tools

10 activities to help develop speech

Remember speech is only a part of communication and some autistic people prefer AAC, PECS, makaton or other methods.
Check out our AAC page here:
Non Verbal Communication - Introducing AAC

The exercises above are primarily for kids with speech and or language difficulties who need help with this ☺

Unfortunately this book and cd costs quite a bit, but perhaps courses may be in your local area through funded projects.  Even if not please consider raising the money to do this as its an excellent ☺The Hanen Programme

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Free resources aimed at kids with additional needs

Speech(ie)less, by Naomi

Click: Speech(ie)less, by Naomi