People can be nonverbal for a wide variety of reasons. Speech can be hampered by physical conditions which restrict how air passes through the lungs and vocal cords. Limited speaking can also be a symptom of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
“‘Nonverbal kids’, you hear that a lot — and I hate that,” Associate Professor of Early and Special Education Department Michael Humphrey said. “Because that’s always putting the disability before the person.”
Humphrey advocates for person-first language, which is a cornerstone to building a relationship with a person who is nonverbal for any reason: treating them as the person they are.
So how else can we help our neighbors if they are nonverbal? There are some communication methods, such as signing and pictograms, but chiefly, getting to know them is step one.
Zac Traylor, a Greenbelt Volunteer Supervisor for the City of Boise says this process begins by knowing who is nonverbal and paying attention. The Arbiter spoke with him at All Abilities Welcome Day, a public outreach event held and coordinated by Traylor and the Boise Police Department.
If someone is nonverbal and neurodivergent as well, it can be difficult to develop a relationship. Simple human things like saying hello, waving or (if consensual) attempting to make physical contact with a fist bump, handshake, hug or other preferred method, can also help break down this barrier. Humphrey explained that this requires consistency, and may take numerous attempts.
Once you have started to build a relationship and know that someone in your neighborhood or community is nonverbal and why they are, then you can learn to communicate with them.
“Being adaptable is always going to be important,” Traylor said. “[For] anybody who is neurodivergent —you just have to understand that they can be people who just have differences- it doesn’t by any means mean there is a deficit there,” said Traylor.
One way to adapt is through Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC.
There are basic signs of American Sign Language (ASL) that you can learn: yes, no, help, confused, home, among many others. Facial expressions will also go a long way.
“Tone of voice and all that other stuff mean a lot more,” said Humphrey. “So if you’re rolling your eyes, losing your patience, well then — don’t go all the way to frustration. It would be bad for whoever was trying to communicate.
If you have access to a touchscreen device like a smartphone or tablet, there is the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). It essentially pairs digital pictogram cards with spoken words, which can be strung into sentences. PECSTalk is an AAC app that accomplishes this, though it costs $85 to $140. There are also free alternatives for Apple and Android.
While you can download a pictogram communication app on your phone, Humphrey said you should be prepared to use low-tech methods, like signing, should your touchscreen device become unavailable. Other low-tech options like a physical PECS book or flashcards also exist.
While knowing your neighbors and being able to effectively communicate with them is important, some situations will require a higher degree of help. So what public resources are available to families with members who are nonverbal or neurodivergent?
One resource is the Ada Registry for Vulnerable Populations.
“We call it the RVAP. It was started by Ada County dispatchers who had kids that are on the [Autism] spectrum,” said Lindsay Stanger, a community engagement professional with the Ada County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO).
This included the Ada County Sheriff, Matt Clifford. He was among many first responders there who spent the day interacting directly with children and families.
You can register for the RVAP online, placing your family member’s name, and a physical description including things like weight and height
Another public resource is CodeRED, also operated by ACSO. It is a localized emergency notification service that notifies people via phone call, text message, emails and social media.
The Idaho Yellow Dot Program will give any requestor a free yellow envelope that contains a form and sticker. This form can be filled out with emergency contacts and vital medical information that first responders or medical professionals may need to be notified of. The completed form can be stored in the plastic yellow envelope and then placed in the glovebox of a vehicle. The sticker can then be placed on a window for easy identification by first responders.
While this article covers a wide breadth of resources and methods to be aware of, experts believe that one of, if not the most important factor in communicating with anyone, neurotypical or neurodivergent, verbal or not, is to respect them for the person they are.
