Autism spectrum disorder affects millions of children each year, with wide-ranging symptoms in each case. Some children will have minimal trouble socializing and communicating, while others will have a very limited vocabulary. Knowing the signs of nonverbal autism is important so you can get them the support they need to communicate with others. If your child living with autism struggles with basic communication skills, enrolling them in an autism treatment center can help.
At Camp Worth, we work with teen boys and girls living with autism between the ages of 11 and 17. Our kiddos work with certified behavioral therapists who specialize in working with children with autism. They get to know each child and their unique symptoms to create an effective treatment program for developing social, behavioral, and communication skills. If you would like more information about our autism treatment programs, call 855.915.2545 today to discover how we can support your child’s education and development.
Recognizing the Signs of Nonverbal Autism
Each child develops at a different pace, which can make recognizing the signs of nonverbal autism difficult before their first or second birthdays. Typically, early signs of autism begin to show around 12 months, with some symptoms not appearing until 18 – 24 months. A child with nonverbal autism may not be able to mimic facial expressions and show little interest in playing with other children due to their lack of understanding of their feelings and what’s going on around them.
Other early warning signs your child may have autism spectrum disorder include:
- Not responding to their name by 12 months
- Does not babble or make other noises when interacting with parents
- Unable to point at objects by 14 months
- Avoiding eye contact
- Prefers to be alone
- Repeating words or phrases
- Flapping hands or rocking when feeling distressed
At Camp Worth, we know how difficult it is for children living with autism to express themselves, especially when they are nonverbal or have a minimal vocabulary. We teach them nonverbal communication techniques and expand their vocabulary for children who do not have a medical condition preventing them from talking.
Communication Techniques for Nonverbal Autism in Children
In most cases, nonverbal autism in children will go away or diminish as they age. With the right training and plenty of practice, many children will improve their communication skills and be able to talk and interact with others to the best of their abilities.
Here are some communication techniques that work well with children with minimal verbal skills:
- Encourage play and interacting with peers—All children learn through playing and interacting with others. Activities like singing or reciting nursery rhymes promote social interaction and can help develop speech patterns.
- Mimic facial expressions—Mimicking games can teach your child about facial expressions and how to use them to express how they feel.
- Give them time to respond—When working with your child, don’t feel the need to fill the space with talk if they are working out a problem. They will feel better if they can come up with the answer on their own.
- Go at your child’s pace—Each child is different in how they will develop their communication skills. Use the games and activities that your child enjoys the most and let them set the pace of learning within reason.
One of the best ways to help your child living with nonverbal autism is by enrolling them in an accredited autism treatment facility.
Discover Camp Worth’s Autism Treatment Center for Nonverbal Autism in Children
At Camp Worth, we work closely with teen boys and girls living with autism to develop the communication skills they lack to lead a more fulfilling life. Nonverbal autism in children is treatable, and many children go on to develop verbal and nonverbal communication skills that allow them to express themselves and interact with others.
If your teen son or daughter living with autism is struggling with their verbal or nonverbal communication skills, call 855.915.2545 today or fill out our online form, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
