28/12/2025
Absolutly loved a post from Steven May, and felt the need to summarise the content for our .
"More Than They Can Show: An Early Framework for Parents of Non and Unreliably Speaking Autistic Children"
The article emphasises that a child's inability to speak does not equate to a lack of understanding. Speech is just a surface-level expression of deeper cognitive processes, including consciousness and emotion. Recognising this truth early on can significantly impact parents' expectations, advocacy efforts, emotional bonds, and long-term outcomes for their children.
Key Concepts:
1. Top-Down Development: Human development begins with consciousness and understanding, highlighting that children might grasp complex emotions and meanings long before they can express them physically.
2. Inverted Triangle of Development: Rather than viewing development as a pyramid ascending towards speech, it should be seen as an inverted triangle where speech is the narrow endpoint.
3. Sensory vs. Motor Development: Infants possess strong sensory awareness but limited motor control. They learn to recognise safety, danger, and emotional nuances long before speaking.
4. Vestibular System: This system helps children orient themselves and is critical for establishing balance and coordination, paving the way for intentional movement.
5. Primitive Reflexes: Early motor actions, such as lifting the head or protective responses, form the foundation for later motor skills, including speech. If these reflexes don't integrate well, it may lead to difficulties in motor skills.
6. Communication Before Speech: Children are not "behind" in development; they face challenges at the complex motor skills necessary for speech production, which involves multiple bodily systems and intricate coordination.
7. Presuming Competence: This reframing encourages parents to interpret their child's silence and behavior more positively, recognising their understanding and emotional presence rather than perceiving them as lacking abilities.
8. Developmental Layers: The development stages include consciousness, sensory processing, primitive reflexes, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and finally, speech — with speech being the most intricate and least reliable output.
Conclusion:
Parents are encouraged to connect with their children on a conscious level, recognising that understanding and emotional connections precede verbal expression. By presuming competence and starting at the top of the developmental triangle, parents can foster better relationships and communication strategies.
