Expert: Trey McGowan - 4/28/2008

Question
MY SON ALBERT HAS A SEIZURE DISORDER,AND AUTISM THEY SAID HE HAS THAT,BUT HE DOES EVERYTHING ELSE,HE JUST DOESN'T TALK,AND HE DOES SOME NOISE AND HE MOVES HIS HANDS.WELL WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT HELPING HIM FOR SPEAKING ANY VOCABULARY IN HIM.............

Answer
Hi there, Albert!

Speaking difficulties are very common in children with autism, first off. There can be many different reasons for this, but overall, it adds up to the same thing: verbal communication can be very difficult.

The first thing to figure out is how severe this is, and what sort of level of difficulty they're having. I'm not sure if he's even tried to talk, or if he's simply stayed utterly silent (which, again, isn't uncommon in autistic children). I'm going to assume the second, since that's what you make it sound like, but if I'm incorrect, feel free to send a follow-up and say so.

You say that he has been diagnosed, so there is likely a doctor in the mix. Speak with them about this matter and see if there is a speech therapist on hand. They are the ones who will do the best at this sort of thing. After all, it's their job to do so! They will be able to, better than I, diagnose what sort of actual speech difficulty your boy has and be able to work around it. The doctor may be able to do some diagnosis on the 'why' as well, though they aren't the specialists in the matter, generally, and won't be able to do as good a job as the speech therapist.

In the meantime, you can try a few things for yourself for communication. It's possible (in fact, fairly likely) that he understands perfectly, but is having trouble with the 'wiring' between mouth and brain. Therefore, see if you can get some other communication aids. At six, he should be old enough to be able to learn how to use a keyboard (writing is difficult for some autistics because of issues with fine coordination). See if he can type out some thoughts, even if he's not going to be old enough (very probably) to make them particularly detailed or articulate. He might also be able to learn sign language, either ASL or something the two of you work with together, to get some basic ideas across. There are some specially-made devices for communication as well, such as Bliss Symbols and talking keypads, that might come in handy if you find out that he will have difficulty with speech all his life.

Trying to encourage some small speech might help. See if you can start with something he likes very much, maybe even a focus or obsession that he has. Try and get him to learn to say words based around that. If, for instance, he's big on fishing, you might see if you can get him to start saying the parts of his kit. I won't promise this will help, since again: I don't know exactly what is holding him back with speech, but it is often a good encouragement for them to try at least a little harder with it if they weren't before.

Hopefully my answer helped out! Just remember that it's not likely you will ever have a chatty little boy, and try to be patient with his silence; it may very well be that he wants to talk as much as you want him to talk. Follow-ups, extra questions, comments, and the like can be directed this way!

Trey