There are many ways to communicate, but our society tends to emphasize “spoken words,” or words that come out loud with our mouths. When someone doesn’t communicate like this, they often come across as confrontational stigmadenied autonomy and as a result infantilization. Unfortunately, even trained providers engage in these harmful behaviors, such as talking about a client when they are not there or as if they do not understand, simply because the client is not speaking as loudly as we would expect.
There are many different reasons why someone might not use words of mouth, and many people don’t understand the differences. Learn more about the different reasons why someone may not be able to use spoken words and how to support and communicate with people who have different communication needs.
Non-native speakers
Someone who is illiterate does not use spoken words to communicate. They can vocalize and express words, but they don’t tend to talk out loud as the neurotypical society would expect. Some use terms like non-verbal or minimal.
Someone who is illiterate can use sign language, written language, or a communication board.
(Note: The term “nonverbal” used to be used to describe the nonverbal, but many with lived experience and advocates have pushed the term nonverbal because it’s more affirming and doesn’t have the stigma of not speaking.)
People who are speechless
A loss of speech is different from a loss of speech because someone with a loss of speech has the ability to use spoken words at other times. For example, some autism People report losing the ability to speak at times or during episodes burn.
Losing speech is not the same as choosing to be silent. Some people with speech loss report that when they speak with their mouths, they can force themselves to do so at great cost (a form of to disguise). Others shared that they could not fully speak with their mouths until they had a chance to adjust and open the blockage.
If someone has a speech impairment, they may benefit from having communication cards or other augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods to use on an as-needed basis.
It is important to distinguish lost speech from non-speech. When we combine the two, it can lead one to think that a non-native could use verbal abuse in the right circumstances or if they are just “trying harder” which is both false and harmful.
Selective mutism
Selective mutism is one anxiety a disorder that causes the affected person to lose the ability to speak with their mouth during times of great anxiety. This often happens in social settings, and some psychologists see it as a form of it social anxiety.
Selective mutism is different from speech loss because it is caused by anxiety rather than stress or silence. Those who experience selective mutism report that they are unable to use spoken words when they are distressed. They can use communication boards or cards to communicate their needs to others at the same time.
Conclusion
While those with different communication needs may benefit from similar support, the reasons why someone communicates are different. It is important not to assume that someone is “difficult” or does not choose a particular form of communication.
If you or a loved one uses alternative communication methods, you deserve to have your needs heard and heard to disguise or meet neurotypical standards.
