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Navigating Autism and Communication Differences in Adults: Strategies for Success
Key Takeaways
- Autism and communication differences in adults coexist.
- Communication differences are a diagnostic criterion of autism spectrum disorder. This means that autistic individuals may, to varying degrees, struggle with communication, whether verbal or nonverbal.
- Resources such as speech therapy, assistive technology and role-playing activities can help autistic adults become more effective communicators.
- Even though autistic adults can adapt their communication skills, we must champion autism advocacy and acceptance efforts to build a friendlier and more inclusive world.
Introduction to autism and communication differences in adults
To be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, an individual must have social and communication differences compared to those without autism, and those differences must impact their daily life. The severity varies from one individual to the next. However, communication differences are a core characteristic of autism.
Common challenges faced by autistic people include:
- Difficulty interpreting or understanding body language
- Difficulty modulating tone, volume or speed of speech
- Trouble understanding idioms, figurative language or other instances of non-literal speech
- Uncertainty during social interaction
- Using more direct language or more formal and technical language, which is sometimes mistakenly interpreted as “bluntness” or “rudeness”
- Using repeated words or phrases (or echolalia)
- Having a flat affect or appearing uninterested during conversations, even if they are engaged
Differences in communication between autistic individuals and non autistic individuals often lead to difficulties for the autistic population. These difficulties include:
- Facing judgment during social situations or bullying from peers
- Finding it hard to make or maintain friendships
- Developing anxiety around social situations
- Feeling fatigued after a social interaction
- Increased risk of isolation or loneliness
- Low self-esteem or negative self-image
- Engaging in masking behaviors, which can lead to burnout
When communication style differences are judged instead of accommodated, it leads to negative outcomes for autistic individuals. Support and resources can help autistic individuals become more effective communicators, but that’s only one piece of the puzzle. It’s also important that we learn to not only understand autistic communication but also accept and embrace it.
The role of speech therapy in enhancing communication
Speech therapy can be a valuable tool for autistic adults seeking to improve their communication skills. A neurodiversity-affirming speech therapist will not view autism as a disease to be cured or a problem to solve. Instead, they’ll work with their autistic clients’ unique strengths and needs to empower them and improve their overall quality of life according to their individual goals.
Benefits of speech therapy for adults with autism
Speech therapists can help autistic individuals address their difficulties and learn new communication skills, if that is something they would like to do to help them reach their goals.
Speech therapy can help you learn:
- Tips for taking turns in a conversation
- Using communication supports
- Reading and writing more effectively
- Making small talk with others in different settings.
Often, these skills are taught during individual sessions and then practiced with others in a group setting.
Speech therapists can also help autistic individuals who are currently in the workforce or want to be. They can do so by helping with cover letters, practicing interview skills and workshopping the appropriate language needed to ask for accommodations or support.
Working with a speech therapist can not only alleviate some communication difficulties by teaching practical skills, but it can also help autistic adults develop confidence and independence.
Leveraging assistive technology for better communication
Assistive technology is the umbrella term for assistive products and their respective services. Though many types of people can benefit from assistive technology, autistic individuals in particular may find it useful for improving communication.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
Augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC, simply refers to any type of communication other than verbal speech. So, things like smiling, pointing or even giving a thumbs up are all forms of AAC.
The extent to which an autistic individual will benefit from AAC depends on their ability to rely on verbal speech comfortably. Some autistic adults, like me, are hyperverbal, which means they exhibit an exceptional ability to use written and verbal speech. Other autistic adults are non-speaking, which means that they don’t use verbal speech at all. Plenty of autistic folks fall somewhere in the middle––and they can all benefit from the use of AAC. Some potential benefits include:
- Allowing those who don’t rely on verbal speech to express themselves clearly via alternative means
- Allowing those who do rely on verbal speech to add meaning or clarity to their spoken message
- Making it possible for the voices of non-speaking autistic individuals to be heard, which leads to increased independence and self-advocacy
- Can be used during times of skill regression, during burnout or during meltdowns to help express needs during a time when that would otherwise be difficult
Aided and non-aided AAC
When discussing autism accommodations, AAC refers to visual or technological communication tools. AAC is divided into two categories: aided and non-aided. Aided AAC is further broken down into electronic and paper-based.
- Non-aided AAC: Non-aided AAC is simply communication outside of verbal speech. It includes things like body language, facial expressions and pointing. Non-aided AAC requires no additional tools outside of the human body.
- Aided AAC: Paper-based AAC includes tools such as spelling boards, picture-based routines or other picture books that allow non-speaking or low-speaking autistic individuals to express their needs visually. Electronic-based AAC includes text-to-speech devices and message buttons.
No matter the medium, research and advocacy groups agree that assistive tech can significantly improve communication skills and overall well-being for autistic individuals.
Supporting nonverbal communication and social skills
Nonverbal communication refers to conveying information without words. Nonverbal communication occurs through body language, facial expression, tone of voice or other physical indicators of mood. As we know, having difficulty deciphering nonverbal communication is one of the more common autistic traits. However, many autistic adults find that video modeling and role playing can be instrumental in recognizing and interpreting nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, body language and tone of voice.
Video-modeling shows an individual performing a skill or shows a third-person point of view of a skill, so that an autistic adult can observe the skill and repeat it, or identify what is happening in the video. For example, an autistic individual would be shown a video of someone receiving good news. They would then be able to observe the person’s body language to learn what their face and body look like during moments of happiness or excitement. Doing this in a low-stakes, judgment-free zone will help the autistic individual identify body language in the real world.
Role-playing scenarios with trusted individuals can enhance understanding and comfort with nonverbal interactions by providing a safe space to explore and refine these skills. “Practicing” reading body language or specific tricky social scenarios will not only help hone those skills but will also allow the individual to build confidence and potentially alleviate the anxiety that comes with social communication challenges.
Support strategies and mental health services for autism
Adults with autism often face elevated risks of mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. Communication differences can exacerbate those challenges because they can lead to anxiety, feelings of isolation or frustration over feeling chronically misunderstood. Some therapeutic approaches can be especially helpful for autistic individuals, as long as they are adapted to meet the unique needs of the autistic community.
Therapy for autistic adults
Many autistic adults can benefit from neurodiversity-affirming therapy to support them with anxiety, depression, changing life circumstances, or help them reach other self-chosen goals. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been identified as beneficial for autistic adults, particularly when modified to address their unique needs. Adjustments such as incorporating visual aids, allowing additional processing time and focusing on concrete thinking can enhance the effectiveness of CBT for this population. Mindfulness-based therapies have also shown promise in reducing anxiety and building emotional resilience among autistic adults.
Accommodating neurodivergence in mental health
Tailoring mental health services to meet the needs of autistic adults requires several key adaptations. Clinicians should receive specialized training to understand autism-specific presentations and communication styles. Creating predictable and sensory-friendly environments can reduce anxiety and enhance engagement in therapy sessions.
Furthermore, involving autistic individuals in the development and evaluation of mental health services ensures that interventions are relevant and effective. Implementing these strategies can lead to improved access to care and better mental health outcomes for autistic adults.
Advocacy and empowerment for adults with autism
Advocacy plays a vital role in promoting awareness, acceptance and meaningful support for autistic adults. It helps shift public perception from outdated stereotypes toward a more accurate understanding of autism as a state of being. Effective advocacy can influence policy, improve workplace and social accommodations and ensure access to inclusive healthcare and mental health services.
Now more than ever, it’s important that the conversations around autism include autistic people and honor the unique strengths and challenges presented by autism without falling back on demonization or fear-mongering.
Autism exists, and has always existed. With the right accommodations and with public acceptance, autistic individuals can thrive.
How Prosper Health can help
Communication differences are a hallmark of autism spectrum disorder. Though every autistic adult will have unique communication challenges, valuable tools and resources can help.
One of the best tools at our disposal is neurodiversity-affirming therapy. Prosper Health proudly offers therapy for neurodivergent adults, covered by most major insurers. Our practitioners are experts on all things adult autism, and they tailor their approaches to match each client’s unique needs. We also offer fully virtual assessments to those who are seeking accommodations but have not yet been diagnosed with autism.
Contact us today to get started!
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