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Original poster

can you tell me about your autistic non verbal kids

37 replies

bryceQ · 30/05/2023 20:55

My son is 4.5, completely non verbal with no pointing etc. He communicates by bringing us over to something. We are trying aac but no interest yet. I vocalise his requests of me. Take all the feedback from speech and language but I know it's just a case of being patient.

Could anyone share experiences of late talkers? How did it happen? Do you think you could have done anything differently?

OP posts:

cestlavielife · 30/05/2023 22:20

https://avazapp.com/blog/understanding-stimming-in-aac-learners/

Understanding Stimming in AAC Learners - Avaz Inc.

AAC learners can sometimes use their communication devices for stimming. They may seem to be hitting buttons out of context.

https://avazapp.com/blog/understanding-stimming-in-aac-learners

NotaCoolMum · 30/05/2023 22:27

Mynameisntrelevant1 · 30/05/2023 21:33

Not my dc but I'm a SEND teacher. I'd he's communicating by moving you to object that's a great start! Have a look at PECS if you haven't already or do your own version with eurher symbols or photos. So print photos or him doing things he likes and then get him to choose, say the short word- bike/ play etc. Try makaton sign language too- so sign more (google ut-or singing hands) then say 'mmmm' and see if he can cooy etc.

100% this!! Don’t write sentences even if he can read- simple pictures are better and use minimal language.

Mummysaf · 30/05/2023 22:28

Hi
Joseph aged 10 in September
non verbal but getting more and more chatty!
my advice embrace a total communication course learning signs etc
I was worried it was replace talking but in fact it encourages it!

Interested in this thread?

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4 year olds

Doughnut87 · 30/05/2023 22:34

No we always had a standard grid consisting of core vocab and personalised folders. We started on a 3x5 (15 buttons per page), he's now on a 8x12 (96 buttons per page). It's grown as he has needed more vocabulary. We didn't want to restrict him and have to change his device later on as motor planning is very important. For him he learnt a lot by exploring his device by himself. This allowed us to see what he was interested in and then model that into day to day situations. Ultimately it's whatever works for your little one.

We didn't have any salt help and very much went off the guides on proloquo2go, there's some very helpful stuff on their website. Their Facebook group for parents is very helpful also.

Stssha · 08/12/2023 15:26

My dd is 4.4 and started off and on therapies a year ago(frequent therapy since 5 months)she has so many words, alphabets and numbers(fwd and reverse counting) and few phrases too .. we gotta know her interest in Rhymes,so we sing all day long and she copies actions.....but talking still seems a long way.
P.s. her initial diagnosis was scd/asd at 3 by developmental peads and at 4 she was labelled isolated speech delay by pediatric neurologist.

Justmommy35 · 12/10/2025 20:15

Putdownthecake · 30/05/2023 21:33

Following as exactly the same boat.my son hand leads. Very rarely points. He will bring his shoes to go out. He's trying pecs but not much use yet. We dobasic sign that he's not picked up. He is vocal loudest kid I know but not verbal. He did have a few words; mum, dad, nan, ball, all gone, but they seemed to disappear after 14 months. He understands some language but not much.

Hi, i know your post is form 2023 but i guess im just looking for stories of hope my son is exactly like this too. I want to believe we tried everthing we could to help him but he is 4 now and still non verbal he hand helds to what he wants but thats abiut all the communication we get and im so scared for his future.

Justmommy35 · 18/10/2025 23:28

bryceQ · 30/05/2023 21:34

No he's nowhere near this level. We aren't sure if he has a learning difficulty too but he presents with very high care needs. He will go to specialist school

Hi OP. I know your post is from 2023 . I huesd im just hoping hows your son now? I have a 4year old too and in 2025 and he is currently everything you said your son was at this age. Is thetr anything I can do? Im just constantly worried for him🥹😭

Pryceosh1987 · 19/10/2025 01:44

My mother took me to a speech therapist.

Original poster

bryceQ · 19/10/2025 09:19

@Justmommy35
so yes my son attends a wonderful specialist school, he’s 6 now, he still doesnt talk but he is a very happy boy . I do think words will come. He just isnt ready yet. Wishing you best of luck xx

OP posts:

cestlavielife · 19/10/2025 19:43

Words do not have to be spoken . Look at aac .use multi pronged approach.. my ds asd in his 20s now uses aac at his level and "speaks" that way. Dont just focus on verbal speech. (Gridplayer look at a free trial on ipad )

Justmommy35 · 21/10/2025 08:38

Thank you! Is there any therapy apart form school that you do? They are very expensive and we went to a speech therapy before and felt like it hadnt really helped :( he is in a special preschool atm. Really hope he will one day find his voice.

cestlavielife · 21/10/2025 13:35

Communication and behaviour therapy are what worked.
Communication with aac photos schedules visual. Words. My son read early dont assume non verbal cannot read or type. Communication is many ways not just speech.
And behaviour of people around dont give to grunts unless they meaningful . You kniw the grunt means milk but make it communucation show milk and juice photos. Whuch one?
A PECS model

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