Some autistic people communicate primarily or only via sign language or augmentative and alternative communication devices, while the majority of autistic people use spoken language. Autistic people’s use of spoken language often differs from the way allistic (non-autistic) people communicate.
In some cases, the differences are quite marked. In others, less so. Some differences relate to grammar. In addition, many differences relate not to the selection of correct words but to intonation, eye contact, and body language.
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How Autistic Children Are Taught to Converse
Autistic children very often have delayed or non-neurotypical speech. They may recite scripts from television, repeat phrases, or make sounds to either stim or communicate.
Many parents and guardians put their children through speech and behavioral therapy to learn the neurotypical use of spoken language and how to use language to communicate with neurotypical people.
Social skills therapists and coaches also work onspeech and conversation skills.
Some of the specific skills they teach include:
Why Autistic People Have Difficulty Conversing With Allistic People
The general expectation is for autistic people to communicate like allistic people. This common perspective means that almost all autistic people will be inherently deemed as ‘bad at conversation’ simply because they communicate differently than allistic people are socialized to expect.
The purpose of communication is to understand and be understood, and the focus on making autistic people conform interrupts their natural ways of communication. Guardians and therapists should focus on giving autistic people the tools to communicate naturally, whether non-verbally or verbally.
Here are some of the communication differences autistic people experience:
Autistic people need more understanding in how they naturally communicate and should not be forced into patterns that make them uncomfortable (ie. looking people in the eye). While therapy can help many autistic people, there needs to be less focus on conforming to allistic standards.
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Paul R.Interventions to improve communication in autism.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2008;17(4):835–x. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2008.06.011Additional ReadingRyan, G., Brady, S., Holloway, J., & Lydon, H. (2018). Increasing appropriate conversation skills using a behavioral skills training package for adults with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder.Journal of Intellectual Disabilities.https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629517750744Smart C., Denman K. (2017) Student and Supervisor Experiences of Learning and Teaching Conversation Analysis and Discursive Psychology for Autism Spectrum Disorder Focused Research: A Reflective Approach. In: O’Reilly M., Lester J., Muskett T. (eds) A Practical Guide to Social Interaction Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Language of Mental Health. Palgrave Macmillan, London
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Paul R.Interventions to improve communication in autism.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2008;17(4):835–x. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2008.06.011Additional ReadingRyan, G., Brady, S., Holloway, J., & Lydon, H. (2018). Increasing appropriate conversation skills using a behavioral skills training package for adults with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder.Journal of Intellectual Disabilities.https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629517750744Smart C., Denman K. (2017) Student and Supervisor Experiences of Learning and Teaching Conversation Analysis and Discursive Psychology for Autism Spectrum Disorder Focused Research: A Reflective Approach. In: O’Reilly M., Lester J., Muskett T. (eds) A Practical Guide to Social Interaction Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Language of Mental Health. Palgrave Macmillan, London
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Paul R.Interventions to improve communication in autism.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2008;17(4):835–x. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2008.06.011
Ryan, G., Brady, S., Holloway, J., & Lydon, H. (2018). Increasing appropriate conversation skills using a behavioral skills training package for adults with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder.Journal of Intellectual Disabilities.https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629517750744Smart C., Denman K. (2017) Student and Supervisor Experiences of Learning and Teaching Conversation Analysis and Discursive Psychology for Autism Spectrum Disorder Focused Research: A Reflective Approach. In: O’Reilly M., Lester J., Muskett T. (eds) A Practical Guide to Social Interaction Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Language of Mental Health. Palgrave Macmillan, London
Ryan, G., Brady, S., Holloway, J., & Lydon, H. (2018). Increasing appropriate conversation skills using a behavioral skills training package for adults with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder.Journal of Intellectual Disabilities.https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629517750744
Smart C., Denman K. (2017) Student and Supervisor Experiences of Learning and Teaching Conversation Analysis and Discursive Psychology for Autism Spectrum Disorder Focused Research: A Reflective Approach. In: O’Reilly M., Lester J., Muskett T. (eds) A Practical Guide to Social Interaction Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Language of Mental Health. Palgrave Macmillan, London
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