Silence doesn't equal stupidity

I have to say that one of things we struggle with the most is the way people react to Little Bug when they see that he uses sign language and that he can't speak. One of two things usually happen- they talk about him as though he is a piece of furniture or they begin to speak incredibly loud and slowly as though because the words aren't coming out, they aren't going in. The most interesting thing about this, is that this is what our wizard of an ASD specialist recommended. He suggested that because Little Bug has a severe delay in both receptive and expressive speech, we should talk slower to him to help him. Funny enough, all we had to do was talk with our hands, and the words followed. It had nothing to do with the speed of the communication, but the manner in which the communication was occurring.

Please remember that your ability or inability to speak doesn't measure your intelligence or ability to communicate. Trust me on this- I have met plenty of people who can use 45+ words to string a sentence together and yet the couldn't find their own asses with both hands and a flashlight. Conversely, I have met many people- Little Bug included- who are mostly non verbal and yet have an amazing amount of intelligence and problem solving. That they can't speak isn't important- we just need to find a way to connect.

ABC has had a special on everyday regarding Autism. One of the items I found most interesting were the items that included non verbal people with autism who were deemed dumb or unreachable by the establishment until given a computer. Suddenly, they had a voice. This reminds me that as caregivers, family members, friends, and members of a community, we must always reach out and be willing to reach out in unconventional ways to reach our fellow man.

Just remember, that the next time you see someone who can't speak- due to a hearing impairment, ASD, cataplexy, or a myriad of other conditions- don't assume that they can't hear you and can't understand what you are saying. You would be surprised by how much they hear and understand.