Non-speaking

Also called Nonspeaking, Unable to speak

The word many people who do not use speech now choose for themselves, and why it replaced a label that got them badly wrong.

What it is

Non-speaking describes a person who does not use speech as their main way of communicating. That's all it says. It says nothing about what the person understands, thinks or has to say.

The older word was "non-verbal", and it was wrong on its own terms. Verbal means "to do with words". Plenty of people who don't speak read, type, sign and use words all day. Calling them that told every professional who read the file that language wasn't there, and a lot of people spent years being taught colours because of it.

Many autistic adults and AAC users led the change, and it's their word. Some prefer "unreliably speaking", which fits people whose speech comes and goes or says things they didn't mean.

Who it can help

Anyone writing about, referring or supporting a person who doesn't use speech: in a report, a care plan, a classroom or a conversation. And the person themselves, who deserves to be described accurately.

It's not a diagnosis and it isn't tied to one. People are non-speaking because of autism, cerebral palsy, Rett syndrome, motor neurone disease, stroke, and many other reasons, some of them temporary.

How it works

The word carries a position: speech is one way to communicate, not the proof that someone has something to say. A non-speaking person may use AAC, sign, gesture, facial expression, writing or a mix, and every one of those counts.

Understanding usually runs well ahead of expression. Receptive language is almost always stronger than what a person can get out, so assume they follow what you say about them in front of them.

Getting started

Ask the person, or those who know them best, which word they prefer, and use it.

Check the files. If a report says "non-verbal", ask for it to be corrected. It's a small edit with a large effect on what the next reader expects.

Talk to the person, not to whoever is with them. Give them time and a way to answer. If there is no way yet, that's the first job, and presuming competence is where it starts. A free board such as Fiducia Talk costs nothing to try this afternoon.

Where to get help

Communication Matters is the UK AAC charity and has resources written with AAC users. The National Autistic Society covers language choices and non-speaking autistic people. The RCSLT explains how to get a speech and language therapy assessment.