Every autistic mind is different. This can manifest into every part of an autistic person’s life. Everywhere from eating, listening to music, shopping, and communication. While some individuals could talk for hours about their special interest, some may not talk at all. While some may be able to practice socialization with some difficulty, some find it to be a burden. While some communicate through words, others may communicate through other means.
For nonverbal autistic people, there are many options to express what one is thinking. Some, for example, use technology. Some communicate through gestures to their family. For this article, I want to discuss the option of sign language. This is intended for the parents of autistic children who are considering their options, for autistic individuals that are interested in sign, and for anyone else that may be curious.
Help for children
One of the largest reasons why sign language is used by many autistic children is because it is proven to help with facilitating spoken communication for those that have delayed speech or no speech at all. Along with this, there are some other benefits. One is that it lowers the occurrence of both tantrums and meltdowns.
Try to put yourself in the shoes of an autistic child: You’re experiencing the world for the first time, your senses are hypersensitive, and using words is highly stressful. Now imagine you are walking with your parent on a sidewalk and a large firetruck comes honking down the street. For your hypersensitive ears, that truck is screaming. You try to express your anguish to your parent, but you can’t find the words. You just wish you could ask them to go inside. Since you can’t speak, the only thing you can do is scream.
For many, language comes very easily; people can take for granted how powerful language is. To give someone words is to give them power. Words that are spoken, written, or signed all hold that same power.
That being said, one has to be realistic. Sign language (in this case American Sign Language) is a language. That means it has its own vocabulary, syntax, and grammar rules. People can study the language for years and not master it. Also, many autistic children have motor deficits and may find that performing some signs are difficult. But in the case of helping autistic children with delayed speech, one is not asking for perfection. Some communication is better than no communication. Even with motor deficits, signing one word can help a child feel that they are being heard.
Imagine the bus scenario again. The truck comes screaming down the street and you start to panic. Your parent looks down at you after you tug on their shirt and sees you sign “loud”. You then point to the door of a shop and say “go.” Even with just two signs you are able to effectively communicate that you’re in distress, what is causing the distress, and a way to alleviate it.
Others’ Experience
Most research on this topic has been on children who are non-verbal that learn a few signs to help with vocalization. One opposition to children learning sign is if the child already has a large vocabulary. However, for the adults I have met that are verbally articulate, sign language has only served to benefit their range of expression. Just as autistic children find that they are less frustrated because they are finally able to communicate their feelings and needs, signing adults find that it takes much less energy. When they are especially stressed, it can be hard for them to find the words, the proper way to say them, and they get to a point when they can’t speak at all. However, they don’t have that stress when they are signing. They are easily able to express a range of emotion that they never knew that they had.
In addition, autistic people tend to shut themselves off from others. For many, their computer is their best friend. For any parent, caregiver, or autistic adult taking care of themselves, it is very important to prioritize a healthy amount of socialization. Sign language has opened a door for these people, as it pushes them out of the house to practice. They must meet strangers and spark up a conversation if they really want to progress.
Conclusion
Two of the major powers that sets us apart from other animals is emotion and complex communication. Emotion is dependent upon communication as it is the vessel to express those feelings. To not have a vessel to let others know what you are feeling is to limit human connection.
There are a myriad of ways to allow autistic people to communicate that doesn’t involve spoken words. Anywhere from advanced technology to gestures that loved ones understand. Sign language is simply another option for you as an autistic person or you as a parent of an autistic child to express complex emotion and build stronger bonds.
Every autistic person is unique. If you or your child are on the autism spectrum and feel that you need support, consider reaching out to a therapist for extra guidance.
Haley Sauls, B.A.
