How Do Mute Autistic Kids Communicate?

Sign Language

• Signing is a first step toward communication. Mute kids readily catch on to simple signs for basic life needs. Think of signing as a primary connection to the ultimate goal of oral communication. Signing serves a crucial purpose in providing youngsters a means of conveying needs and responding to oral queues from others. It is vital for parents to share with school staff the signs the child uses and their meanings on the home front. However, most of society does not use or understand sign language. Build on this communication foundation with more people-friendly means of speech that your child will be able to successfully use in the community.

Electronic Touch Pad Devices

• Electronic touch pad devices are programmed with simple-to-recognize pictures. Mute autistic kids learn to touch representative pictures and the device responds with voice. For instance, when a drawing of a child drinking from a cup is pressed, the device says, "I would like a drink of water." These gadgets can be customized to fit a youngster's needs and carried with him wherever he goes. They can also be programmed to deliver complete sentences as appropriate to various situations. One downside to touch pads is that they need to be frequently recharged and in such cases, can go silent at times when communication for the child is vital.

Notebook with Word Strips

• More humble but just as effective is a notebook with pictures and word strips. Often utilizing hook-and-loop strips so that pictures and words can be realigned to create new thoughts, mute autistic kids can communicate in school, at home and in the community with a compact notebook communication system. While they need not worry about recharging the notebook, if left in the car or on the bus, the child may be without a means to communicate.

Computer with Voice Program

• Voice programs are available for personal computers or laptops. The most user friendly come with a touch screen and pictures of various activities or thoughts the youngster wants to communicate. Should he have the cognitive ability to learn key boarding, other voice programs will add sound to the typed words. Determining the most effective communication system for a mute autistic child is best done as a team effort between parents, child, medical personnel and school staff. The team will take into account all variables, including the child's ability level, interests and safety issues. Furnishing a mute autistic child with the means to effectively communicate her needs, thoughts and desires enriches her world immeasurably.

Additional Support

• Children on the autism spectrum benefit immensely from early intervention. Parents become a vital part of the support team that works with mute autistic kids. The team may include privately hired speech therapists, autism specialists, private school or public school staff. Public schools are required, under the terms of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, to provide appropriate schooling for each child, including mute autistic kids. For private school options, check with your local public school, on the Internet and with the nearest university. Some universities, like the University of Washington at Seattle, have special classrooms serving autistic children exclusively.