Non Verbal Autistic Teenager

Here is a link for the Autism website:
http://www.autismteachingtools.com/page/bbbbfg/bbbbzn

Next, is he really non-verbal autistic, or just what the parents say he is???
Or is he mute?
Some kids are mute... due to trauma for example, but may seem autistic.

As a mom of a nonverbal autistic son the only thing I can think to recommend at this point without knowing anything else in detail is to use PECs. It is a picture exchange communication system. My assumption is that they must communicate with their son on some level lest things not be where they are in time. Being nonverbal is not the same as having nothing to say nor is it the same as not being able to communicate. There are a myriad of nonverbal ways to facilitate communication. If I were you I would do some research and be willing to be in it for the long haul. There are not temporary fixes and who cares if in the end he is never verbal. There is not one thing wrong with being nonverbal----but being non-communicative is a different matter.

Hello Michelle, I really wanted to tell you our story and help you see that it may be a unexpected thing that will help your nephew and that I am so respectful of your asking this. None of our family has even tried to help.
Our son was non verbal until he was 5( 24 now), his brother 12 yrs older could look at him and know what he needed it was so amazing. We met a woman Sharon, who had a Dalmation. We have owned several dogs but he really responded to this one. He started making sounds of talking to the dog, and then words I was so joyful but Sharon thought I was crazy becasue we had literally just met. Soon he would could to ten with dog spots, we had spots on everything and he responded and our entire team-- doctors, friends,and the Dalmation club were a support to him and by the time he was 10 his verbal skills though limited were a blessing. We took him to see several litters at one time@ Eva Berg's home and he still talks about it all this time later, when he's get upset and shut down he asked for DeeDee,his dog friend. The other thing we learned was to teach him sign language. It is a way to communicate what is in his head but may not be able to let out with words. Often parents of special needs children are worn down by it all and get frustrated not lazy but feel helpless to do more. I really would encourage seeing what makes him spark- it might be sharks,dogs, keys you will never know until the child opens the door and lets you see inside of him. But sign language is a great way of communication and is easy to modify. I wish you great luck in your help to make this childs life better and easier to not be so alone.

I think this is a very sensitive issue that cannot be fully addressed here. There is too little information about his treatment history to randomly throw out suggestions. Even if there is a treatment that has not been tried, it is really hard to force a family into a therapy process, if they are even able to do so financially or mentally in the first place.

I think the best you can do is to do your own research from an autism site such as the one S H listed and present the info to the family. But be prepared to be sensitive to their wishes for him should they decide not to take your view.

There is no treatment that is an easy cure..even successful therapies take a lifetime commitment to the process. Would you be willing to help commit to his therapy? Or just suggest that his parents do so? These are real questions that families deal with every day regarding autism.

Oh, and just for the record I am 100% pro-therapy, but I also know that the family cannot be forced into providing therapy.

Good luck.

The suggestion about PECs (if the family doesn't already use them) is a good one. It gives nonverbal people a method for communicating their needs---and autistic people tend to be highly visual, so the pictures/icons are helpful.
The story about the Dalmation is interesting.
I read a book once with a young autistic author, and it was said that the author doesn't really speak, but for some reason he can write/type---so he knows language, he just doesn't verbalize because it is somehow uncomfortable to him.
It's difficult to advise on your relative based on so little info, but there is the hope that there is understanding and communication inside, and he just chooses not to speak. Silence is not such a problem, as long as there is some communication of needs going on, so that he can help himself if necessary, even if he doesn't speak...
Self-care and functioning are important, his level of interaction with others is not so important, if he is comfortable without that interaction--although it will make his family sad.
There is such a range in the autism spectrum...many avoid eye contact because apparently for some it is difficult or even "painful" for them to look directly in someone's eyes ---maybe too intense somehow. I wonder if non-verbal autistic people feel the same about speaking?

Hi Michelle,

Please look into the DORE program at www.doreusa.com

The program may not be suitable for your relative as it requires a certain level of ability and cooperation. He does not need to be verbal, but he does need to be mobile and able to follow directions.

There is a 45 year old gentleman in the UK who went through the program. When he started the program, he was minimally verbal ( counting was about it) he is now able to tell you about all the details as he goes through family scrapbooks.

This program is not right for everyone, and takes a lot of dedication and compliance.

I would love to help answer questions - if you have any!

Best wishes!
S.

Hello, Have your heard of Dr. Steven Camarata at Vanderbilt University in Nashville Tennessee? please read about him and his extraordinary work. It will be worth it! and please do not lose the faith! we will be praying for him!

I have seen some things on television involing giving kids letter boards, keyboard, or other tools for spelling out words. Has he has professional intervention?

I have a friend with an autistic son. He is almost non verbal. He will say maybe 2 or 3 words. The rest of his communication they are relying on sign-language. He's picking up on some of it & not doing terrible. It's an idea.... Good luck Michelle!