Verbal Autism Does Not Mean Easy Autism

useimg_1558

I am blessed with a daughter who has a large vocabulary and clear dictation. She can read fluently and make up complex sentences. She can remember accurate facts about things and repeat these readily. She can make choices, recall events and express her opinion.

As a result of all of the above it is assumed (wrongly) that her autism is mild, has limited impact on her life and something to be of little concern about.

People are too quick to assume if a child is verbal that everything is fine.

Let me assure you that just because an autistic child can speak it does not mean their autism is mild.

Having speech does not mean a child necessarily understands what you are talking about.

Having speech does not mean there are no learning difficulties.

Being able to talk does not mean a child can effectively communicate.

Most of my autistic daughter’s speech is something called ‘complex echolalia’. She remembers sentences and phrases from things she has read or heard and uses them to allude people into thinking she is coping socially.

This is a common coping mechanism in girls with autism. They become adept at hiding their difficulties by quoting from others be it from movies, books or friends. It took a highly skilled speech therapist to diagnose this in my child but once pointed out it was so obvious.

When she was younger we could pick out phrases from Thomas Tank engine, or Peppa Pig or sentences from well read children’s books I would read to her at bedtime. Her vocabulary was not being used independently but more ‘cut and pasted’ from one situation to another.

This is much more common with autism than people realise.

Your child may appear to be talking but is it spontaneous language or an echo of something they have heard many times before but do not actually understand?

People assume because my daughter can talk that she is socialising. ‘She chats to friends in the playground’ is a common phrase used by schools to assume a child with autism is socialising well. What in fact what she is doing is listing every  ‘shopkin’ she owns in alphabetic order or inappropriately telling another child they smell awful today!

It is talking and it is to another child but it is not social reciprocal play and she is not making friends!

Many also assume because my child can speak that she can not possibly be anxious! That is a myth. Anxiety can manifest in so many ways and if asked a direct question my daughter will attempt to answer even if her anxiety is making her feel physically sick.

Anxiety in verbal people with autism can actually make them say things that are considered rude or hurtful or even cause them to repeat the same phrase or question over and over. These are ‘coping mechanisms’ to help them cope with the extra stress of certain situations.

It is assumed because she is verbal that she understands emotion and intention. That is like saying because a baby can walk they can do ballet or play football! It is dangerous and worrying that even teachers assume because a child has the physical ability to speak that they are able to cognitively answer complex emotional questions like ‘why did Billy hit you? Or ‘how do you think I feel about you saying that?’

A verbal child with autism may still struggle with emotions and verbalising events that have happened. They still struggle with seeing things from other’s perspective or being able to break down facial expressions.

We need to remember they still have autism even if they can speak and not make assumptions based solely on the fact we appear to understand what they tell us.

My daughter can speak but don’t expect her to tell you if she is in pain or where.

Don’t expect her to understand metaphors or euphemisms or jokes. She can not grasp double meanings and understands language completely literally. ‘The sky looks heavy today’ to her means it is about to fall down!

Don’t stop her half way through her lists or even her sentence as you interrupt her echolalia and therefore her brain’s ability to decipher the world around her.

I am eternally grateful she can speak. I have a son who is entirely non verbal at 9 and I know the pain of never hearing your child talk.

However, I also know the pain of seeing my child’s difficulties ignored just because she is verbal.

We must look at autistic children individually. We need to look past the words they speak and see beyond the sounds we are able to understand. Under the surface of speech lies so many other difficulties that require ongoing support.

If you know someone with autism who can speak never make the assumption their autism must be mild. There is so much more to autism than just being able to talk. Words hide much more than we ever think.

Written by, Miriam Gwynne

Miriam, a woman of faith from Scotland, is mum to autistic twins and wife to an autistic husband. A former teacher and business manager she now cares full time for her children while writing for her own blog and other sites including firefly, family fund, autism awareness dot com and Huffington post. Miriam’s writing is read in over 60 countries and she has appeared on national radio and television in her quest to make the world more accepting and understanding of her children and husband and the millions like them.

Her own blog can be found at www.faithmummy.wordpress.com. Or you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Interested in writing for Finding Cooper’s Voice? LEARN MORE

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter.

Avatar photo

Kate Swenson

Kate Swenson lives in Minnesota with her husband Jamie, and four children, Cooper, Sawyer, Harbor and Wynnie. Kate launched Finding Cooper's Voice from her couch while her now 11-year-old son Cooper was being diagnosed with autism. Back then it was a place to write. Today it is a living, thriving community of people who want to not only advocate for autism, but also make the world a better place for individuals with disabilities and their families. Her first book, Forever Boy, will be released, April 5, 2022.

Share this post:

3 Comments

  1. Dawn Marie Robertson on September 12, 2018 at 4:35 am

    Miriam, this reminds me of Skye so much. She is so like ur wee Naomi. They are so misunderstood xxx



  2. Linda Crane. on September 12, 2018 at 1:32 pm

    My daughter Soph,is 30 now. Reading like a 5yearvold at 2 years old,but couldnt put two of her own words together,for years. Like your daughter,she phrase searched,for appropriate sentences to use,from tv,books,vidoe or other. She now speaks freely and beautifully. Soph found it hard to understand how she ” felt”, especially where pain was concerened. She still struggles. Things do change,she is more able,but,in social circumstances,always needs help. Also she has reflective behaviour,so stress and tension make her either emotional with tears,or really angry



  3. Erin Stauffer on January 3, 2019 at 5:15 pm

    Thank you! You help me feel less alone with my “high functioning” daughter. I often feel that educators think I am making some of our daughters needs up.