How to explain being non-verbal.

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Sometimes I go almost completely non-verbal, for anything from a few hours to a few days. I can communicate partially by text / email during my non-verbal phases, and I can post online to the extent that someone reading my online posts wouldn't realise I'm not able to speak at the time. However my speech is severely restricted during these times. I can manage "yes", "ok", "no" and that's about it, and even then, you'd have to push me far to get that out of me.

I have gone non-verbal now. I am 99% unable to speak. I don't know how long this will last for.

I don't know how to tell people around me who either don't know I have autism, or who don't understand my autism, that I have gone non-verbal. The carer might visit tonight and E (a person living in my supported housing) is in her bedroom and will inevitably try to talk to me.

How do I tell them (without being able to speak) that I am currently non-verbal? E has a suspected learning disability (and English is not her first language) and the carer is just totally misunderstanding and ignorant about autism, so how can I tell them?

You seem to be eloquent when writing. Can you write something down, maybe using points you've put here? Maybe also include some "official" autism information if you can find any?You seem to be eloquent when writing. Can you write something down, maybe using points you've put here? Maybe also include some "official" autism information if you can find any?

Towards strangers, I use flash cards like this one



For others I write a brief text on an index card or type it in my cell phone.

With non-verbal folks, is it they don't want to talk or is it they can't talk? Just curious.

Thanks all.

I will try the card, PTSmorrow.

Redrobin62, I can't talk when I am non-verbal. Sometimes I want to talk, like to say to someone "I am stressed out, help me", but the connection between my brain and my mouth is temporarily disconnected.

I'm lucky enough to be largely verbal these days, and as a kid I had someone to talk for me...or I'd just be rude and not respond to people (often when non-verbal I'm also close to meltdown - which means I'm far from being in a polite friendly mood, I'm told I unintentionally give people 'evil looks' when in this state of mind too so it's not like anyone is gonna stick around long to find out why I'm not talking!).

Recently I've been thinking about adding 'partly verbal' to a medic alert card (I already carry a medic alert card due to history of strokes, and chances are that if I ever was taken to hospital I'd have a meltdown and go completely non-verbal) - might be a good idea for OP to print something off to work in a similar way. Have something like a flash card or medic alert card when out and about for strangers, as well as to have with you to let those who know you know that you've slipped into non-verbal mode. Then something like a leaflet explaining what being non-verbal means for anyone who asks or people who may need more information, like the carer.

Singing is an interesting idea. I'll try that next time.

Good idea to put it on my medic alert card. I have an Autism Alert card, I think I will put an addition to that.

I have been sectioned by the police before during a psychotic relapse, and when they sectioned me (basically by wrestling me down to the ground and handcuffing me....I was pretty ill at the time), I went non-verbal BUT I could scream, and I was screaming uncontrollably, I couldn't stop myself. I was non-verbal for at least six hours, and only managed to speak when a nice psychiatrist helped me.

Always wondered if what happens to me (like today) is some sort of non verbal reaction. All day I have felt like I'm in shock, not that I have much reason to be, other than getting yelled at again this morning which was when it really kicked in, but other people don't have this reaction and think I'm just being wierd.

I can't speak, its like if I try too hard I'll cry instead. I can whisper and I can talk simple reponses like yes and no, or just nod if the person can see me. But its all so delayed. I have thick soup in my head and what others say isn't getting through. I have to think so hard to work out what they want.

I wasn't an early talking Aspie, I spoke late, but before the four year deadline which takes you out of "normal". I'm told that I understood even though I didn't speak. I certainly remember being asked questions I understood but couldn't reply to as a young child.

Its a reaction to stress for me.

You should definately write down an explanation to give to those people you mentioned, can't see what else you could do.

i get that way too. the thoughts are there in the head, but it feels like too much work to get the words out. i think i should make some flash cards for those moments. it would be pretty helpful. and i can shake my head yes or no...

and they put me at the front counter /receptionist at where i work... and i've had some days where I couldn't talk, and using hand motions just took too much out of me.

I have both periods when I can't talk and when I can talk but it feels very unnatural to and I don't think of talking and "don't want to'.

When I'm non-verbal though, I truly can't. If I try to force speech out, it doesn't come out. It doesn't work.

This selective mutism that you people seem to get seems psychological.

"Selective mutism" and part-time nonverbal are NOT the same thing. Nor is it always anxiety, shyness, etc.

I'm adult-diagnosed aspie who has lost speech several times as an adult. Migraines, sensory overload, etc have all robbed me of speech from 5 minutes to several hours at a stretch.

I once taught a young girl with selective mutism. It took all year for her to say a full sentence to me. It is a very different condition, though it might seem similar.