Autism Spectrum Condition is essentially a condition that is not uncommon to hear about. It is talked about in many different shows, mentioned in schools, and chances are you may know a person who has autism. However, this condition is heavily stigmatized and little is known about what truly comprises it. People tend to have one rigid definition of autism and what it consists of. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that it entails a wide spectrum, and each person is different with varied circumstances. In terms of communication more specifically, there are two types – verbal and nonverbal. Each has different factors that encompass them, as we will explore in this article.
More and more people are starting to move away from describing autism as a disorder, hence my use of the word ‘condition’ in the above paragraph. Along the same lines, it is important to highlight the person first when referring to someone with autism, seeing as a condition does not define a person as a whole. In conclusion, “person with autism” rather than “autistic person” would be correct. Throughout this article I will also use terms such as needing “more and/or less support” in lieu of using the terms “high and/or low functioning”. This is due to the fact that every individual’s condition is functioning; the only thing that varies is how much or how little support they need in regard to their personal condition (J. Pierucci, personal communication, February 25, 2021).
Courtesy of Healthline
Going back to what constitutes autism; there are many important facts, factors, and/or categories associated with the condition. First and foremost, ASC (Autism Spectrum Condition) manifests itself in various forms that mainly affect social and behavioral skills, and are comprised of restrictive and repetitive behaviors as well as stereotyped interests. This all, however, usually varies with each individual depending on how severe, mild, early, or late the symptoms are, as well as their cognitive ability in regard to their age. “Diagnosis, according to both the DSM-5 and ICD-11, requires evidence of features in two domains: atypicalities in social and communication behaviours, and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviours. Features should be present from the early years, though diagnosis can happen much later, and frequently does” (Fletcher-Watson & Happé, 2019, p. 32). Behaviors relating to autism can be seen in children as young as months in age; however, it is important to remember every condition varies (Fletcher-Watson & Happé, 2019).
Now how exactly does autism affect communication specifically? Before we tackle this subject matter, and everything under its umbrella, it is important to remember that there are two types of communication associated with autism: verbal and nonverbal. I emphasize this matter because many people do not take into account that just because the individual is not using words, it does not mean they aren’t communicating. They may just use body language and/or technology, for that matter. Several examples will be brought up later in the article. An individual with ASC, “may have difficulty developing language skills and understanding what others say to them. They also may have difficulty communicating nonverbally, such as through hand gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions. Some children with ASD may be unable to speak. Others may have rich vocabularies and be able to talk about specific subjects in great detail” (NIDCD, 2012, para. 5-6).
Courtesy of Spectrum News
An individual’s communication and behavioral skills vary with their age and cognitive development. Problems in communicating do not usually manifest themselves in the pronunciation of words. Rather, they stem from difficulty in using language effectively in regard to rhythm of words and sentences, and, in a nonverbal aspect, being unable to understand body language and certain vocal tones (Fletcher-Watson & Happé, 2019). With this being said, it is important to understand the diversity of presentation in the population that is autistic. How the criteria is measured and identified, again, relies on each individual and how they manifest it to their own accord. In terms of communication, some “difficulties could mean that an individual is entirely non-speaking, speaking a great deal but mainly by echoing, or speaking fluently but with an atypical approach to conversational rules or understanding of non-literal language (e.g. irony, metaphor)” (Fletcher-Watson & Happé, 2019, p. 33). Other individuals with autism may be very social and love making friends, while others choose to keep to themselves. Other individuals with autism may engage in more stimming behaviors, while others don’t. Stimming essentially refers to “self-stimulating behaviors, usually involving repetitive movements or sounds and is part of the diagnostic criteria for autism” (Pietrangelo, 2019, para. 1). Again, it all comes down to the specific individual.
If the individual is verbal, their speech may be comprised of repetitive and/or rigid language. This means that said individual will often say things out of context, as well as mention things that hold no meaning. They may also repeat words or phrases heard at a point in time. This condition is called echolalia. An individual with autism that is verbal may also have uneven language development, which is comprised of a strong vocabulary only in some subject areas, a lack of reading comprehension, and a lack of response to speech around them (NIDCD, 2012).
If an in individual is nonverbal they might communicate through body language and/or technology. Each are efficient ways of communicating, and it varies with each individual. There are several reasons for this variation. It could be the case that the individual has an intellectual condition in which they are unable to acquire speech effectively, or they suffer from anxiety related mutism (Fletcher-Watson & Happé, 2019). Anxiety related mutism “is a childhood anxiety disorder characterized by an inability to speak or communicate in certain settings. The condition is usually first diagnosed in childhood. Children who are selectively mute fail to speak in specific social situations, such as at school or in the community” (Cuncic, 2020, para. 1). Either way it is important to note that communication does not have to be expressed in spoken words. “If either child can learn to communicate, for example via independent use of a text-to-speech device using visual symbols or Makaton signs, then this apparently profound difference might be minimally disabling” (Fletcher-Watson & Happé, 2019, p.33). Makaton signs are essentially a language comprising of signs and symbols that help individuals with autism who are nonverbal and/or find it difficult to communicate verbally (Eton, n.d.).
This is made evident in Carly Fleischmann’s story (Goldberg & Putrino, 2009). For years, many people thought Carly was never going to be able to communicate due to her lack of speech. She showed signs of autism at a very young age and was eventually diagnosed with severe autism and an intellectual disability. Years of extensive therapy went by, and no progressive change was seen. Carly’s speech was not advancing, and it was presumed she would not be able to communicate for the rest of her life. One day, however, when she was eleven, she felt very ill and rushed to a computer to type the words “help” and “hurt.” From then on it was clear that Carly had finally found her way of communicating, and that there was a lot more to her than met the eye. Carly now communicates via technology, and the people around her describe her as a bright, funny, and sassy individual (Goldberg & Putrino, 2009). She continues to inspire many people around her and has gone on to help co-write a book about her life with her father, Arthur Fleischmann, titled Carly’s Voice: Breaking Through Autism (Marso, 2014).
Carly was able to project her voice through means of technology. Take also, for example, Weisblatt et al. (2019), which focused on individuals who lack speech, but demonstrate more skilled receptive language. The main point of this study centered around the concept that a lack of expressiveness may sometimes mean enhanced receptiveness. The people who conducted the study believed that what is expressed verbally by an individual, compared to what is actually internalzied by an individual with autism, can be influenced by a lack of access and/or obstacles in acquiring proper oral motor skills. They used a tablet-based software known as “Point Outwards” to test cognitive strengths associated with developing oral motor skills. Most studies center around communicative speech (e.g., La Valle et al., 2020) but Weisblatt et al. (2019) acts as a testament to how important studying nonverbal communication is, seeing as it is so common in the Autism Spectrum Condition world. A quarter of those affected with ASC are actually minimally to one-hundred percent non-verbal.
It is vital to highlight several strengths in association with autism as well. An individual with autism may have impeccable memory and extreme attention to detail. They may also have heightened senses and therefore increased receptiveness (Fletcher-Watson & Happé, 2019). Society heavily influences what is “normal,” and If something does not fit into the predisposed box, then it is categorized as atypical. When we take out several norms centered around social behaviors, we find that that various “deficits” associated with autism disappear. The key is to understand the various forms of communication related to autism and recognize that “different “is not synonymous with “deficient.”
Autism is often stigmatized as very negative. There is often a “lack of this” and/or “lack of that;” however, it is important to note that that is because many have not learned everything this condition encompasses. Autism is a condition with many factors and concepts which manifest differently in many people. It is an intricate condition that cannot be defined in one simple context or under one umbrella. There are many ways an individual with autism may communicate, and each is valid. It is important to take the time to try and understand each, and to not put autism, and its categories, in one specific box. Speech in regard to autism is expressed through many different means, and that is the true beauty of communication in general.
References
Cuncic, A. (2020, September 18). What is selective mutism? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-selective-mutism-3024702
Eton Institute (n.d.). Makaton: The sign language for non-verbal autism. https://etoninstitute.com/blog/makaton-the-sign-language-for-non-verbal-autism
Fletcher-Watson, S., & Happé, F. (2019). Autism: A new introduction to psychological theory and current debate. Routledge.
Goldberg, A. B., & Putrino, L. (2009, August 5). Teen locked in autistic body finds inner voice. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/2020/MindMoodNews/story?id=8258204&page=1
La Valle, C., Plesa-Skwerer, D., & Tager-Flusberg, H. (2020). Comparing the pragmatic speech profiles of minimally verbal and verbally fluent individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50, 3699–3713. doi:10.1007/s10803-020-04421-7
Marso, S. (2014, May 5). Carly’s voice: Breaking through autism. Carolina Pediatric Therapy. https://www.carolinapeds.com/blog/2014/05/carlys-voice-breaking-through-autism
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). (2012). Communication problems in children with autism spectrum disorder. U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/Documents/health/voice/NIDCD-Communication-Problems-in-Children-with-Autism-FS_0.pdf
Pietrangelo, A. (2019, June 28). Stimming: Causes and management. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/autism/stimming
Weisblatt, E. J., Langensiepen, C. S., Cook, B., Dias, C., Plaisted Grant, K., Dhariwal, M., Fairclough, M. S., Friend, S. E., Malone, A. E., Varga-Elmiyeh, B., Rybicki, A., Karanth, P., & Belmonte, M. K. (2019). A tablet computer-assisted motor and language skills training program to promote communication development in children with autism: Development and pilot study. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 35(8), 643–665. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2018.1550176
23 comments
Muhammad Hammad Zafar
It best explores the topic of autism that how it affects communication. Writer is emphasizing that each person’s condition is unique and it affects the social and behavioral skills. The article also discusses self stimulating behaviors which are part of the disease.
Bryon Haynes
I think there’s something truly valuable in this article not for just what’s contained within it, but how it’s written overall. The way it promotes healthy vocabulary and terms (as an example, the way she refrains from using the word “Disorder”) when engaging with the subject matter is what I valued the most while reading because it’s so easy to dismiss a sensitive subject when we as the general audience don’t know much about it and society as a whole doesn’t place any emphasis whatsoever on these issues. I really hope Nydia continues to educate people with future articles like this because the world definitely needs more pieces like this.
Anayetzin Chavez Ochoa
It is great that you emphasize the importance of viewing Autism as a spectrum, and as you mention, there are several traits that could exist in an individual that may not appear in another person with ASD. In my personal life, I have seen all variations of people with autism, including people who may not have been officially diagnosed yet. Stimming is an activity mostly associated with Autism, but it has been linked with other conditions such as ADHD (some call it the cousin of ASD for its similar symptoms) and anxiety as well. The cure to ignorance is knowledge, and we need more people to spread the word about ASD to help others understand the spectrum and how to handle being a potential guardian to an individual with Autism. Too many people get dismissive about these things, so I appreciate the work put into this article! Thank you for using the term ‘condition’ and adjusting your vocabulary! An amazing read!
Alyssa Leos
This article was very informational. I do have a cousin that I never see that has autism and because of that I never really knew what the true meaning of having autism meant. I’ve always known that just because someone has autism they’re not any different. This article allowed me to understand the different forms of autism and that autism isn’t the same for everyone. The one thing I did know was some that do have autism have a sensitivity to sound and I do know that there are many airports and different buildings that have sensory rooms that allow them to go into and relax. This article brought so much awareness not only to myself but to others.
Idaly Oropeza
This was an awesome article to read. I have a cousin who has autism, so I know first hand how misunderstood it can get. I agree with the fact that society should make smaller adjustments for people with ASD rather than making them adapt to us. I also loved the way that you discussed that being nonverbal doesn’t mean no communication at all it just means they communicate in a different way. I feel that many people misunderstand and underestimate many people that have ASD. They are way more capable than people think and I loved that you brought awareness to that.
Makayla Soto
As someone who has friends and cousins with autism, I find this article so good at really explaining what it is and more of an understanding to it. People don’t think it’s as serious as other disorders and lightly talk about the topic. M glad people are bringing awareness about it now! Good details, knowledge, and background in this articl
Franchesca Tinacba
I think this article was so well done, and one that truly explains what autism is. I know many individuals who have autism, and many of them feel outcasted due to the fear in being judged for having this condition. I believe this is a topic that many people need to be educated on that way people have a better understanding of autism and how people cope. Awesome job!
Yanelle Nicholson
Every assertion Nydia Ramirez made in her piece was supported by logical sources and helped demonstrate her exceptional writing skills. Many people, including myself, were educated by her writing about the stigmatization of autism and what it consists of. Because it can significantly contribute to the destigmatization of autism and the understanding of the numerous ways in which it impacts people, I genuinely enjoyed reading this article and appreciate the amount of study that went into it.
Morgan Kuchta
This was a well-done and very informative article! I was especially impressed with your second paragraph and your explanation of how and why to use the preferred language. Making these simple switches (condition instead of disorder, placing the person first, focusing on support rather than function) is an important change to implement.
Esteban Serrano
Nydia, this was such an informative and intelligently-written article! Thank you for sharing this information!
I take two things out of this article: the first being Carly’s story. I have a few friends, and even family-related folks in my life who are diagnosed with autism or have some sort of ASD. I myself, have even been on the spectrum when I was younger. Carly seems to be the most severely diagnosed person I have ever heard or read about. What’s great about it is the perseverance at the end. Given her communication skills, the basics of both verbal and bodily, were lacked in her psychiatric behavior, but still found her own way of communicating with others. It involved technology and was used in a very proficient way.
The second takeaway of mine is the subject of echolalia. I find this to be a very interesting psychiatric sense in the brain among severely diagnosed people. To this day, I or maybe someone else can find themselves doing this if that specific phrase, lyric, poem, etc was so ear-grabbing. Of course, it may not always be out-of-context or at random. Take for example, a song of good rhythm and lyrics. Would this be a good example of echolalia that even fully-matured people do? Children primarily ages 1-4 do this normally to fully grow and engage their brains in a specific topic of curiosity or simply to build their speech skills before they psychologically ‘mature.’ I remember one time in a movie theater, it was packed for the first weekend of a ‘Minions’ sequel. I was sitting surrounded by families with little ones, (so as you can imagine it was loud with hilarious excessive laughing and the occasional cries) and there was a little girl behind me who would repeat multiple phrases that Gru, one of the main characters, would iterate throughout the entire movie. It was very cute and made people around me chuckle, but because we all knew the baby was still learning things and picking up on phrases, constructing them, and specific words she was hearing for the first time. It’s a very intriguing subtopic to learn about when learning Psychology and autism as a human. The mind and the developed expectation of it is something beyond fascinating.
Once again, well done on this research and thank you so much for sharing your knowledge on such a controversial, fascinating, expansive, and dynamic topic!