Assumptions About Intelligence
Some individuals diagnosed with autism are not able to talk. When we meet a person who is non-verbal, we tend to make assumptions about their intelligence. A recent post on a prestigious website about autism even asked this question: “Are non-verbal people with autism intellectually capable?” Because the inability to talk can be a result of many different factors, we cannot assume a non-verbal person with autism has limited intelligence.
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Some people with autism may not speak because they are self-absorbed, because they do not view other people as communication partners, because they have no interest in communicating with other people, because of extreme auditory sensitivities, or other issues related to autism that interfere with communication.
Whether a person is diagnosed with autism or not, a non-verbal person can have normal intelligence and receptive language. Inability to speak can be caused by physiological issues related to hearing or speech production or because of aphasia, apraxia, or language processing issues. Individuals who have had a stroke or who have specific language-related learning disabilities can encounter the same challenges.
When a person does not speak, it is easy to assume they cannot understand language or that they cannot understand science, history, music, or other intellectual topics. When a person doesn’t seem to be able to learn new concepts, it is easy for us to just pop in the same video over and over again. Then we can’t figure out why our non-verbal friends with autism are so bored, agitated, or restless.
We can do non-verbal people with autism a great service by assuming they ARE
intellectually capable. And, even if our friends with autism do have limited intelligence, we should provide an environment rich in learning experiences and language. We can assume they understand every word we say and converse freely about compelling, age-appropriate topics without expecting a reply. Over the years I have been surprised many times when a non-verbal person with autism has suddenly made a verbal response as if they had been participating in the conversation all along.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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