APRIL is Autism Acceptance Month with Autism Acceptance Day on April 2.

The month is dedicated to fostering understanding and acceptance of autism. Nemisha Hiraman, a Board-Certified Behaviour Technician and founder of Dino-Might Minds in Durban North, shares insights on supporting non-verbal autistic children.

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“It’s important to know how to recognise non-verbal autism. Some of the early signs in children are limited or no babbling by 12 months, lack of gestures such as pointing or waving and no response to their name by nine months,” she said.

With advancements in technology, various tools can aid non-verbal children in expressing themselves. These are called augmentative and alternative communication devices which include apps such as Proloquo2Go and LAMP Words for Life.

“These apps assist with communication through visual symbols and text-to-speech. They can also share helpful articles or videos that explain non-verbal autism and communication strategies. Often seeing examples helps others understand better and demonstrate effective communication techniques in real-life interactions with their child. By modelling strategies such as using visuals, waiting for responses, or interpreting non-verbal cues, friends and family learn how to engage successfully. Visual cards may also help children convey needs by handing over relevant images,” she said.

Hiraman advises parents of autistic children to educate family and friends so that they may understand a non-verbal child’s communication style.

“Non-verbal autistic individuals often face social isolation, healthcare challenges, and misconceptions about intelligence. One of the biggest barriers is the misconception that a lack of speech is equated with a lack of intelligence, which is absolutely not the case. However, with awareness and adaptive communication strategies, they can thrive. Parents must share educational resources and model interaction techniques,” she added.

“Each child is unique, so interventions should be personalised to their specific needs. Through early intervention and inclusive communication, society can empower non-verbal autistic children to express themselves and reach their full potential,” she said.

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