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nonspeakingkiku · 3 days

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Hey, weird question, but what's it like being nonverbal/unreliably speaking?

Please understand I am simply asking out of genuine curiosity, and mean nothing bad with this ask. (Also, the fact that i have to specify that says stuff about the state of the internet, i suppose)

When Kiku was younger, before had access to communication aids, It was really hard. Especially because people thought Kiku was fully speaking and they didn't know much about autism or anything like that and Kiku wasn't diagnosed with anything (except possibly global development delays, not sure). Kiku couldn't communicate everything Kiku wanted or needed to. Didn't have words for it. And people thought what Kiku said was what Kiku meant and generally if Kiku was disregulated it wasn't what Kiku meant. Kiku couldn't tell was in pain, explain things that happened. Used Echolalia but got told repeating equals mocking so got in trouble for immediate echolalia. But a lot of Kiku's vocabulary feels like Kiku put together the words of other people. Just bits of different phrases and words from various media.

Being nonspeaking/unreliably speaking let to a lot of problems when Kiku was younger, because none of us knew and the things that came out of Kiku's mouth made people mad.

But now that Kiku knows and has communication aids it's not nearly as hard. Still hard. But not as hard. Kiku still has trouble communicating some things and processes things slowly.

For Kiku it's almost like English isn't Kiku's first language (even though it is). Although that might be the aphasia rather than anything else.

Kiku's mouth words are 90% of the time unreliable, especially if they aren't echolalia. That can range from "that's not what I wanted to say at all" to "that wasn't how I wanted to say that". And if it's not unreliable speech from apraxia then it's words being in the wrong order or the wrong word coming out of Kiku's mouth instead (usually always a similar word. Like couch instead of chair or taste instead of smell) because of aphasia.

If have any more questions feel free to ask ☺️

#kiku squeaks #special interest #autism #actually autistic #autistic #nonverbal #nonspeaking #aac user #apraxia #dyspraxia

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perplexingluciddreams · 21 hours

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Today was orthotics appointment. It is at hospital I don't like, Dad not like too because bad parking. When we get there, it was very full loud waiting room. So we wait outside the room in the corridor.

The orthotist Kirsty is very nice! With nice accent. It was loud bad place at first with other patients talking loud - even with noise cancelling headphones I struggle and get very anxious but also feel stuck could not stim like I need. I could not hear what Kirsty or Dad said because the other voices noises were louder even with noise cancelling headphones ☹️.

They could see I didn't cope, so she very kindly, look in other quiet room to see if it is empty. (Usually I go to that room). Yes, it is! So we go in there.

Then talk a lot about old AFOs. And Dad show my list of what is not-good about them. She look at my walking with shoes AND without shoes, and examine look at my legs and feet and move about and feel how hypermobile I am. And where my calf muscles is a bit tight.

She agree that my current AFOs don't work. So we try something different new. Dad showed my pictures of what I think might be better for me. So, she say they can do a similar style of rigid plastic AFO on the outside, with an inner "anklet" that is thinner more flexible plastic going around my ankle and over the top of my foot. Then that part will go inside the bigger rigid AFOs. And, I can have better straps that isn't so bulky and too tough to undo by myself. (They will just go once over, instead of through a ring and double back).

Then, she do a SCAN!! Instead of casts this time :D. I have to hold very very still it takes a LOT of concentration and effort. But I did very well. Dad said the shape of my leg showed up slowly on the screen when she did the light scanner in stripes. I didn't see that because I had to concentrate very much to stay still.

They had to stick a wire to the front of my leg for the scanner. And the tape stuck to my leg hair! And ripped some off when I took it off, ouch! But it was okay, not too sore, just mostly funny. Dad joked about is his genetics for the leg hair.

Overall, very successful appointment and it went much better than I expected! I am still very anxious about it all, because we have several attempts already that didn't work. But, Dad says we will keep on trying until we get exactly what works for me.

I always feel overwhelmed and exhausted after appointment. And always feel like I didn't communicate everything I want to - even with prepare with other people and they say things for me, even if I try try try so hard to do words, it just doesn't happen at the time. And I have automatic response to just nod head "yes" at almost everything, even if I didn't process or understand. So I worry that I seem to say "yes" or agree to things that I don't mean. Especially when I know that there was a lot of talking at the appointment that I didn't process at all. I feel so utterly lost all the time - and there is no way to really express how that affects me my whole entire life.

I hate my inability to communicate ☹️☹️. It goes WAY beyond just not able to speak. Even with all the tools and aids and help from other people... majority of the time it is simply near-impossible for me to interact with another person. It is everything about how I interact with everyone, my whole life long. And then I feel like anything that goes wrong or doesn't work is my fault for not able to communicate or explain something.

Anyway. I am knackered now, so time for rest and Celtic Woman DVD 😄. I try not to think about it anymore, just distract. And try to keep hope, but not too much, so I don't get too disappointed.

I have lemonade (Dad quickly go to shop and buy so I can have my usual fizzy drink treat after appointment 😄, thanks Dad!). And I have snack. And DVD. 😊

#words from my head #afos #ankle foot orthotics #leg braces #autism #autistic #medical appointments #hospital #nonverbal #nonspeaking

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clownrecess · 10 months

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Happy disabled pride month to disabled people with undiagnosed physical disabilities

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people with undiagnosed mental disabilities

Happy disabled pride month to mobility aid users

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people who are in constant pain

Happy disabled pride month to AAC users

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people with ableist family

Happy disabled pride month to fat disabled people

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people with scars

Happy disabled pride month to disabled addicts

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people who's disability is progressing

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people who love their disability

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people who hate their disability

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people with underrepresented and/or uncommonly known disabilities

Happy disabled pride month to all disabled people. I love you. /p

#multiply disabled #disabled pride #actually autistic #physically disabled #autipunk #cripplepunk #aac user #nonspeaking autistic #nonspeaking #disabled #autism #aac users #aac device #neurodivergent #chronic fatigue #hypermobile eds #hypermobile ehlers danlos #undiagnosed ehlers danlos #ehlers danlos syndrome

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gwydion-aacblog · 1 year

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visible disability not guarantee help .

severe disability not guarantee help .

people would not " treat better " if more visible , more severe . trust on this .

#actuallyautistic #nonverbal #nonspeaking

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autball · 6 months

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We. Can. Hear. You.

It’s AAC Awareness Month! AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) is more than just high tech devices like the one depicted here. It includes picture books/cards, sign language, writing it down, Spelling to Communicate - basically anything that conveys a message that is not speech.

And anyone can use it! If you are non-speaking, unreliably speaking, not-yet speaking, or just find words hard sometimes, then AAC is for you. There is no “non-speaking enough” threshold you have to meet - if it makes your life easier, go ahead and use it.

AAC is empowering. People routinely talk about autistic kids and adults like they’re not even in the room, even when they CAN speak. (Which, if you’re someone who does this, STOP IT RIGHT NOW.) This parent could have assured this asshole professional person that her son could understand til they were blue in the face, and they wouldn’t have been believed if he hadn’t been able to communicate it for himself.

Communication is a right. Don’t let anyone try to discourage AAC on the basis of it hindering speech or “being the easy way out” or whatever other nonsense they come up with. AAC *enhances* communication, and everyone deserves the ability to communicate their needs, tell you their thoughts and feelings, share their hopes and dreams, and tell people to fuck off when needed. 😉

(Image description in Alt Text.)

#autism #autistic #actually autistic #aac #aac awareness month #nonspeaking #nonspeakingdoesnotequalnonthinking #autistic funny

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five-thousand-loaves-of-bread · 8 days

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autism awareness & autism acceptance not either or. not mutually exclusive. can coexist. need coexist.

“there enough awareness for autism already 🙄 we need acceptance”

ok. you aware of high support needs autism? aware what that even means? not “need reminder take meds need remind take shower” “high” support needs autism, but “need full physical help do bADLs lack danger awareness may accidentally hurt self or even kill self without support” high support needs autism? not just higher support needs people who can be independently online do advocacy, but those who need help from others even be online, or those who cannot be online at. all.?

aware of nonverbal nonspeaking people? not just nonverbal nonspeaking people who can write grammatically correct cannot tell apart base on writing. not just nonverbal nonspeaking people who can be online who can advocate online.

aware of nonverbal nonspeaking people who cannot communicate in way that easily understood, either for now, or ever? aware of nonverbal nonspeaking people without functional communication, aware of how without functional communication, how that drastically limit communication, even though behaviors are valid communication? aware of nonverbal nonspeaking people who may never use AAC fluently even with best support?

aware of technically verbal but very limited verbal autistics who may only able say wants & needs but not other things and certainly not online advocacy, “despite being verbal”?

aware of just how much our life depends on caregiver/carer/PCA/etc? aware how vulnerable that make us? aware of abuse from caregivers? aware of caregiver burnout from lack of support for caregivers, & how that impact our care we receive? have you even heard of term respite care? aware of those of us who cannot separate ourselves from caregiver? aware of those of us who cannot participate in autism community without caregiver?

aware of visibly autistic people? aware how we not automatically believed? aware how we often bear blunt of violence because we most easily identified target because we visible? aware visible =/= get support, aware that many those diagnosed severe who now adult so no longer qualify for services under 21 year old, languish in hospitals because nowhere to go? aware how long life saving necessary waitlists are? aware that even to this day parents have to fight school fight day service fight government fight insurance for them give their nonverbal nonspeaking child AAC & be properly taught how use it? actually, are you aware of how properly teach AAC to nonverbal nonspeaking, developmentally delayed child who may or may not have intellectual disability?

actually, aware of autistics with (correctly diagnosed) intellectual disability & how they make up big amount of autistic? aware of institutional systemic & legal impact of mental [r word] right & the human rights abuse justified using r word right? wait, you aware that r word come from old term for intellectual disability, that, actually, still in many laws because no one bothered updating, right? aware of what severe profound ID look like? and aware they real and they still human deserve education deserve life deserve care, yes?

aware of early diagnosis 20 30 or even 10 years ago, not same as now, even less resources & knowledge about autism now? aware that while gender race class 1000% impacted diagnoses, a lot of early diagnosed people early diagnosed because… they die without support unlocked by diagnosis, right? but also, aware that in old times, early diagnosis often did mean doom, not because autism bad or anything, but because severe lack of support & diagnosis can literally bar you from so many things including basic education?

aware that for many people in special education, which impact specific group of autistic people, they not get degree when graduate high school, they just get certificate, which limit their educational & employment opportunities & others?

aware of life saving importance and necessity of masking for autistic of color especially Black autistic people, despite stress inducing traumatic? aware that live in broken system be victim of hate crime & police brutality just as traumatic often even more traumatic than masking? aware that many Black & other parents of color forced to teach their child masking because of this?

are you aware of most marginalized autistic people? aware of leadership of most impacted?

aware you can and need to care about autistic experiences & form of autism you not experience? aware that you can and need to do that without try twist your experience into our experience into our words our community?

aware that advocacy goes beyond about you?

aware that you can’t speak for all autistic? aware that you shouldn’t speak for all autistic?

are you aware of when you need to stop talking & listen & amplify others? aware of when and how to decenter self?

aware that even this long post, barely scratch surface? still so much to say?

[better worded version of original post]

#loaf screm #actually autistic #autism acceptence month #autism awareness #autism awareness month #high support needs #long post #nonverbal #nonspeaking #autism #autistic #autism acceptance

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meowtismz · 4 months

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Something people NEED understand is.

NO we not WANT an AAC device

NO we not WANT a wherlchair

NO we not WANT use a cane

NO we not WANT any disability aid

We NEED it. Is not a desire is a NECESSITY

Get this inside dumbass brain of you already! Need stop think us disabled people like be disabled just because proud or aware need help.

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ellecdc · 21 days

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poly!moonwater x mute!reader? Maybe them learning sign or comforting reader when someone makes fun or says something rude to them.

🥹🥹🥹 this is so cute omg. thanks for your request!! 🤟🤟🤟

poly!moonwater x mute!reader (gn)

You kept your face pointed downwards at your textbook and ignored the two shadows seating themselves across the table from you, hoping that if you minded your business, they would too.

People weren’t always very understanding of your condition, and those who pretended they were usually just asked a lot of very imposing questions; if you could hear, why couldn’t you talk? Were you ignoring them? Were you faking it? What was your deal? And contrary to popular opinion, speaking louder and repeating themselves didn’t change the fact that you still couldn’t speak to them.

“Y/N, right?” You heard a voice come from in front of you. You grimaced slightly but tried to rearrange your face before looking up.

Sitting across from you was Regulus Black and Remus Lupin; the latter having been the one to speak to you.

You nodded yes to his question, which earned you a beaming smile from the scarred boy.

“I’m Remus, and this is Regulus.” He said, motioning towards the younger boy with his head. You offered the best smile you could muster and nodded hello to the two of them.

“What subject are you working on?” Regulus asked, attempting to peek at your notebook. You pulled the textbook from under your elbow and showed them the front cover.

“Herbology.” Remus narrated. “I’ve always been pants at that, honestly.”

You smiled gratefully at the two; most people don’t put much effort into trying to converse with you once they realize it requires a touch more effort on their end.

“What’s your favourite class?” Regulus asked then, causing your stomach to drop.

They had to know, right? They couldn’t not know. Did they think you would finally talk if only you wanted to badly enough? Or was this a prank? You didn’t think pranks were the younger Black’s thing, but you knew Lupin hung around with a folly crowd.

You’re not sure how long you’d been sitting there spiralling when you felt a gentle nudge to your wrist. You looked to see a piece of parchment and a quill being pushed towards you by Remus.

You looked to him then, trying to see if you could spot any malevolence in his expression.

You couldn’t.

You cautiously took the quill and parchment and scrawled out your answer quickly. Passing it back and trying to ignore the burning of your cheeks or the sound of your heartbeat in your ears.

Remus beamed at your response. “I love that class too.”

“May I ask something that might come across as terribly forward?” Regulus asked suddenly, causing your heart rate to spike.

“I was only wondering how you converse with your friends or family; what’s most comfortable for you?”

You let out a steadying breath and accepted the quill and parchment back from Remus to quickly write “sign”.

Regulus smiled at that, and you weren’t sure you expected a Black to be capable of an expression so soft.

“Wonderful.” He said as he pulled out a heavy book from his bookbag; a muggle book entitled “BSL for Dummies”.

You felt your eyebrows migrate into your hairline as your mouth fell open.

“Now, if it’s not terribly inconvenient for you, do you think you might be able to help us learn?” Remus asked, smiling kindly at you.

You nodded quickly, mouth quirking up into a smile as Regulus helped turn the book towards you so he could ask “is this the right way to ask someone out on a date?”

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pixierainbows · 3 months

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Pixie give up . Autism people too angry refuse to stop say “going nonverbal” . refuse to listen … and Pixie just . Can not any more . Crying so much upset so much nobody care at all … just How very very different is to never be able speak … not AT ALL same as losing Mouth words sometimes .

pixie all done being talked over and ignored and yelled at and told go kill pixie self … pixie WISH could just stop exist …

pixie ALL DONE .

from now on . People who miss use actually nonverbal words, Pixie just BLOCK . not care If mean Pixie not welcome in autism community anymore , Pixie never been welcome by community pixie Never welcome by speaking autism people anyway .

is no safe place for Pixie . :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

#autism community #actually autistic #actually nonverbal #actually disabled #nonverbal #nonverbal autism #nonspeaking #severe autism #bad autism

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zebulontheplanet · 13 days

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For this autism awareness/acceptance month, let’s listen and support nonspeaking, nonverbal, and mute autistic people.

Let’s listen to them, interact with them, and support them. Let’s educate others on their terms that verbal people shouldn’t be using. Let’s uplift their voices. Let’s celebrate and center them. Let’s talk about those who can’t communicate via AAC and alternative communication. Let’s talk about the more marginalized nonspeaking/nonverbal/mute autistic people. The POC nonspeaking/nonverbal/mute people. The trans nonspeaking/nonverbal/mute people. The queer nonspeaking/nonverbal/mute people. The high support needs nonspeaking/nonverbal/mute people.

Let’s center them, talk about them, and celebrate their achievements, accomplishments, and just for being here and being them.

#zebrambles #autism #actually autism #actually autistic #nonspeaking #nonverbal #mute #actually nonverbal #actually nonspeaking #actually mute #autism awareness month #autism acceptance month

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p1xelpc · 3 months

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Why Life is a Tragedy

[ Plain text: Why Life is a Tragedy ]

My daily routine is usually very empty. Most days it goes like this:

My mother brings me my breakfast at 8. That consists of yogurt with berries and granola, protein shake, and a cup of strawberry milk (a small cup, so I don’t upset my stomach).

She says good morning and helps me rearrange myself if I’m awake. If I’m not, she goes to her office across the hall.

I take about 15 minutes to actually work up the energy to eat and take my meds. I play Wordle while I wait.

If I feel up to it, I go to the bathroom, change my diaper, use hand sanitizer, and wash my face. Some days I may brush my teeth with a toothbrush and water. Those are rare days.

After I finish, I stay in my bathroom chair for 5-10 minutes while I work up the energy to get back to bed.

When I do get back to bed, I decide what activities I will do that day.

If I feel up to it, I set up my activities around my legs so that I can do it when I’m ready. If I don’t, I ask mama if she can set up when she gets the chance.

I play on my phone and socialize on Tumblr and Discord. I try to do my activity.

I do that until lunch. Taking breaks every 5-30 minutes depending on the activity.

Lunch is around 12. It has been hard boiled egg whites, cucumber slices, and a small cheese recently. Soon it may change to a prepackaged lunch with crackers, ham, cheese, and mini cookies. I get another (small) cup of something other than water.

After I eat, I decide what activity I will do for the rest of the day and try to set it up. I usually do not succeed and need mama to come help.

I play on my phone and socialize on Tumblr and Discord. I try to do my activity.

I do that until mama finishes work. She comes in to take my dirty dishes and she asks what I want for dinner. I want pasta please. She goes to make pasta.

I continue my activity.

She brings me my pasta and another (small) cup of something other than water.

I eat.

I do not do an activity. I may watch TV. I play on my phone and socialize on Tumblr and Discord.

At 8:00 mama comes to help me to the bathroom. After I finish, she comes in to help me wash my hands, wash my face, brush my teeth, and put on my Testosterone gel. We talk the whole time.

I go to bed. Mama helps get me situated. She helps me take my meds.

After mama closes the curtain, I play on my phone until around 10.

I go to sleep.

On weekends my days are different. Mama has to help me shower at least once (usually Sunday). That takes about 1-2 hours total. I need a lot of help.

Some days I have doctor appointments. I take around 45 minutes to get ready. It usually takes 15 minutes to get to the office. The appointments usually last an hour, not including wait time. After I get home, I lay in bed for the rest of the day and do not use the bathroom that night (I am too tired).

I cannot leave the house most days. There are many days I can barely leave my bed. Some days I cannot leave my bed at all. My usual pain level is at minimum a 6. I cannot speak, only make funny sounds. I require at least 2 forearm crutches to walk safely. I usually need a wheelchair to move. I cannot leave the house without my ear defenders on. I take a fully packed backpack everywhere I go. I need support to sit up and to stay sitting.

My hobbies include coloring, playing video games, making disability aid designs, writing, reading, and baking. My favorite animal is a Triceratops, though I only like the cartoonish designs. I like fluffy animals. I love Bluey. I enjoy learning about disability related topics. I read children’s novels because they are what I understand. I love going to the zoo. I love going to the library. I enjoy warm weather with light wind. I enjoy dressing up and doing makeup. I love ice cream cake. On days with nice weather and good health, I like to go outside and just sit.

I have 2 stuffed animals that I take everywhere (Jameson and Gerald). I have 1 that I take lots of places (Fred). I have 2 that usually stay on my bed, but travel if I’ll be gone for a while (Kougie and Melon). My favorite colors are yellow, pink, and green (no particular order). I use a light Bluey blanket, a light dino blanket, and a weighted blanket every night. I use at least Little Pillow every night (it has smiley faces). I have a cat shaped pillow for my neck.

Did you decide if my life is worth living? Do you need more information? Do you think I’m tragic? Do you need to give your sympathy to my carer as if I don’t exist? Do you know my sense of humor? Do you know why I am loved? Do you know my limits? Do you know what I am capable of? Do you know what brings me joy? Do you know if I’m a person? Do you know my identity? Do you know who I am?

Do you know if I am happy?

Do you care?

This inspired by Unspeakable Conversations by Harriet McBride Johnson

#not know if people will understand #this the one that not know where going with #this the one that made cry #pix writing #disability #visible disability #high support needs #medium support needs #autism #nonverbal #physical disability #nonspeaking #wheelchair user #cripple punk #c punk #disabled #actually disabled #actually autistic #disability visibility

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autisticdreamdrop · 10 months

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nonverbal communication is valid communication

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perplexingluciddreams · 20 hours

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When I come back home from an appointment, I feel like I have just been briefly transported to another dimension.

It is such a horrible awful sensory experience of being out in the "real world" with real other people. It reminds me of just how impaired I am. Of how my dream-selves and imagined realities only exist in my own mind, and don't reflect my level of ability at all. Wow - you would think I would have better awareness of how disabled I am, with the 19 years of experience.

And brings back all the bad memories of how I was left alone abandoned to "drown" every day, for so long - and all because I can't communicate, in the first place.

It is this strange loud bright place where nothing can be processed or understood. My brain gets stuck in thinking loops, triggered by tiny details I see and hear. While that happens, I am dragged away from what is happening around me and completely miss entire chunks of conversation.

People talk talk talk with their mouths. How do people even make those shapes and sounds with their mouths? Sitting up hurts.

Why is it so loud? My brain feels like it is on fire. I can't move. Why can't I move? I need to get out of here. They are still talking. Why won't someone notice?

That bit of floor is peeling up. People are talking. What are they saying? Why can't my eyes look over there like I want?

It is loud and hot and I can feel every bit of dust and dirt on the ground touching my feet. How do other people live in this world of sensory hell and utter overwhelm?

I want to be part of this conversation - I know I have important things to say. What if Dad forgets the important things? Panic. I can't remember what he has already said. I can't say anything, my device is over there. Oh, it is on my lap now. Why can't I say anything, still? Why can't I think in words?

Who is that? Why is he here? Think back - what did she just say as he walked in?

What is happening now? How do "normal" people keep up with how fast it all is?

I have to stay still. It is quieter now.

Oh, I have to make a choice now. I already signed "I don't know". Decisions are hard. More words from the people. I don't know what I want, but I guess I will point at the same one - I remember doing that last time. I don't know if it is what I want. I just want to be finished now.

They are still talking. It is completely nonsensical noises now, I can't even try to work out what it means. I want to leave. Is the room tilting? I can't feel where my body is.

What was that noise? Oh, I hit the door with my wheelchair. Why is it so hard to drive? Is it safe to drive, when I can't even think except "get out, get out, get out"?

And then I am suddenly back home in bed and I can't quite remember how I got here or how it all happened, or if it even happened at all. The only way I know that it did happen, is the exhaustion and the tense uneasy discomfort that my body is left with.

#words from my head #loud brain #bad memories #autism #autistic #nonverbal #nonspeaking #actually nonverbal #sensory processing disorder

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clownrecess · 1 year

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It is not inappropriate for AAC users to have acsess to swear words.

My peers started swearing at around age 10, and if that is what language the speaking people of that age are using, nonspeaking people have the same right.

Not giving us acsess to the same type of language as our peers feels alienating, it doesn't let us communicate with the same language and terms our peers and friends do. We are not babies. We are not stupid. We are the same as our speaking peers. Just because you can sometimes control what language we use, doesnt mean you should.

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pxppet · 1 year

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Mute people are humans worthy of respect.

Non-speaking people are humans worthy of respect.

Semi-speaking people are humans worthy of respect.

People with disorganized speech are humans worthy of respect.

Deaf people who don't speak are humans worthy of respect.

Autistic, disabled, mentally ill and all of it. We deserve to be treated like and thought of as real people with as much to offer as other humans. The lack of speech doesn't make us "useless" or "stupid" or "like talking to a lamp." Mute people of any kind have just as many thoughts and feelings and actions to offer as those who speak.

Life is still worthwhile and peace and happiness are attainable for us. We will find people who care to make the effort for us to be understood. You will feel yourself breathe softly again some day. You deserve it.

#mute community #selectively mute #semiverbal #semispeaking #nonspeaking #nonverbal #actuallyautistic #pseriouslypsychotic #pseriouslyschizophrenic #actuallydisabled #deaf #d/Deaf #deaf community

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autball · 3 months

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When you can’t show what you know, people assume you just don’t know anything.

At least that’s how it works for most autistic kids who can’t speak, or can’t control their bodies as much as they’d like to, or can’t answer things “fast enough,” and so on. Because the people who give the tests really don’t want to entertain the idea that their tests might just be garbage sometimes.

Non-speakers who have gained access to communication later in life all tell a similar story: that they experience a mind-body disconnect that makes it hard for them to control their own bodies. That means that they struggle to perform tasks on command, whether it comes from other people or their own minds, and that their bodies will just do things that the person didn’t even mean to do.

And despite the growing number of people who are able to share these stories, most of the People In ChargeTM are still operating under the assumption that if you can’t answer a question or follow an instruction correctly, it’s because you didn’t understand it.

Which means that kids who can’t show what they know because their bodies won’t cooperate are assumed to just not know anything.

Which means they never get to move to the next level of education.

Which means there are millions of children who languish in educational settings that are not academically challenging enough for them- because the problem they have with their bodies is assumed to be a problem with their mind.

But the inaccessibility of assessments is the problem here. As well as the assumptions people make about those who are thought of as “low functioning.” As well as the fact that the majority of autistic kids who can’t speak are still not given alternative means of communication soon enough, if at all.

We can do better. Presume competence. Treat communication like a basic human NEED and a RIGHT, not an optional privilege to be earned. And believe the people who keep telling us as soon as they can, “It’s our bodies, not our minds!”

NOTE: I’ve been wanting to do something on this for a while, and this particular cartoon came together a couple weeks ago while I was listening to “Ido in Autismland” by Ido Kidar. Please do check it out, along with the work of other non-speakers, to learn more about this experience from the people who actually live it.

https://www.amazon.com/Ido-Autismland-Climbing-Autisms-Silent/dp/0988324709

https://www.amazon.com/Autistic-Boy-Unruly-Body-Autism/dp/B0B7XF3CVT

https://neuroclastic.com/directory-of-nonspeaker-pages-blogs-media/

#autism #autistic #actually autistic #nonspeakingdoesnotequalnonthinking #nonspeaking #nonverbal #communication is a right

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