I am a non-speaking Autistic. This is how I found my voice. | Throwback Thursday

Meet Ben. As a toddler, he was extremely talkative. But when he turned three, things started to change. Ben lost the ability to speak out loud and was left trapped inside his body. How do you find your voice when no one can hear you?
“Throwback Thursday” is a series that explores the truth that lives beneath our childhood memories. In this docuseries, adults take a look back at their younger years. What begins as a trip down memory lane, ends in a heart-opening examination of what was really going on behind the trapper keepers and the bubble yum.
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[@ColleenTempleart]

“I am in a constant battle with my body”-Heartbreaking. 😢

[@zoorenard1101]

My daughter is 19 and nonverbal. That simple phrase shattered me.

[@misspat7555]

I’m perfectly verbal, but have still often felt I just couldn’t get my body to do what I wanted. Too slow; too uncoordinated; too likely to get stuck along the way. The fact that I CAN speak; quite well, though my tone and word choice sound odd to others; is a great blessing I need to remember to cherish. Imagine if my intellect were trapped in an even-more-unruly body… 😕

[@averyhanes3007]

Im autistic and thank you all for listening and acknowledging us as intelligent capable human beings ! god bless all of you for your support and most of all Love !!

[@Anonymous-df8it]

Why can't he speak though? He clearly has a larynx, so what's stopping him from speaking? I'm not trying to be rude; I'm genuinely curious

[@lucid6891]

@@Anonymous-df8it it's like being sat inside a machine that wants to do its own thing

[@salmalaabi884]

It could be because of apraxia of speech, which is not uncommon for autistic folks. You can have legs but be unable to walk if you can’t get those muscles to do what you want them to. This is the same thing.

[@theregenedmoogles741]

Its brain body disconnect in nervous system. Called apraxia of speech​@Anonymous-df8it

[@loganskiwyse7823]

@@salmalaabi884 False. I know non-verbal autistics that sing with an absolutely wonderful voice. One in MN whose story broke shortly before this was aired. The brain is far more complex than you are giving it credit for. The correct answer is we really do not know.

[@MultiLinda42]

Dear Ben, i m a grandmother wit a 5 year old non verbal autistic grandson. I thank you and love you!❤

[@punkrachmaninoff]

heya ben if you're reading this, thanks for sharing your moving story. thanks for voting! thanks for speaking your truth. i'm 37 years old, i have autism too. life is good. 😎 sending 💪🏽 & ♥️

[@georgettebrier6963]

My daughter is severely autistic and is currently using an ipad with a language program.... how brilliant and so brave this community has had to be just to be acknowledged let alone accepted. Love and hugs from Ohio 🤗🤗🤗

[@autismandstuff8532]

Most Autistic people don’t like high functioning, low functioning labels/severe autism. thanks for sharing though. sounds interesting

[@ss-ib8gm]

how old is your daughter, can i connect with you , i am not able to get good acc trained speech pathologist , we have got word power. my son is now limited verbal earlier was non verbal

[@RmsTitanic59]

​💀💀💀💀💀🤖🤖

[@queerdo]

@@autismandstuff8532 most autistic people who can speak and have autonomy in their lives, and communicate their thoughts and preferences and be easily understood, and "pass" as neurotypical...those folks tend to have a very specific idea of what autism is and isn't and feel pretty confident that they speak for the entire autistic community. Only those people are NOT "most" autistic people, and they don't speak for the autistic community.

[@marionmeister4268]

What program is she using?

[@pankajchand5614]

This is very well done and it was really enlightening to hear Bens words . It’s so important that we include the non speaking they have so much to teach us . Thank you Washington post and Ben

[@deckomohamud2540]

Pankaj Chand mzgghh

[@lesliebarnes9376]

This is great Ben! If everyone had to work this hard to communicate, maybe they would put more thought into what they did with their voice in this world. ❤

[@aliceliza77]

Ben, your voice is being heard and I'm better off for hearing it. I'm a teacher and I will expose my students and children to you as well. Thank you for sharing and stepping out in bravery to speak your voice.

[@jennifersinclair596]

Thank you Ben for putting your voice I to the world. Not everyone uses a verbal speech, and the world needs to know that the capability to speak does not always equal intelligence, and the inability to speak does not always equal ignorance. You very eloquently put words to your thoughts. I hope you continue to do so, and bring light to the struggle many autistic people go through on a regular basis, and I commend you on that.

[@Anonymous-df8it]

Why can't he speak though? He clearly has a larynx, so what's stopping him from speaking? I'm not trying to be rude; I'm genuinely curious.

[@gamer546lg5]

the ben thing is probably all just made up garbage,by that i mean like the story is not real and its fiction

[@frillylily8005]

@@Anonymous-df8it For some with Autism they just can’t speak the words out right or it might pain them to speak the way we do. Sensory problems.

[@ElizabethMcDermott-cy4cv]

Systems need to listen to mums that take their kids to speech and language therapy. The not listening often begins there. Makes stuff worse. I would love to follow Ben's channel.

[@LinDa-vx3ly]

But he DID speak. And he cherishes those days.

[@penosa24]

Love this video! Much love to all those who cannot speak the way people expect. My youngest brother has downs syndrome and he uses an iPad with a language program to communicate better with us. I am astonished at how much my little brother has been saying. He's 11 now and by God is it a privilege to see him grow. Many blessings to all those who live life differently in their own unique way. Whether autistic, down's syndrome. Angelman syndrome, everyone should have the right to live, learn and pursuit of happiness. EVERYONE. 🌺

[@marketakeen8920]

May I ask which language program are you using? Thank you.

[@penosa24]

@@marketakeen8920 so sorry I'm not sure. It was given to my brother from his school

[@jamaltesemumma9929]

I'm crying my eyes out... that was inspirational... I have a 13 yr old boy who doesn't speak...he's got an ommunications iPad but he does not like using it for interaction purposes, im going to enquire with his school anout a letter board. I humblely feel this just gave me some insight into my own son's mind! It really hit home! Thankyou

[@jenniferlorence185]

I have a 16 Year OLD

[@bobwishart8780]

We have a ten year old grandson who cannot speak but just beginning to use the letterboard.

[@Karetvv]

I cried too. This may be my son's exact thoughts but he's four

[@gamer546lg5]

you didnt cry writing stuff on a paper makes more sense than paying for stupid letterboard that will take more time to say things and you have to remember every letter that was pointed at

[@balalaika852]

this method of communication has been discredited a long time ago, it's facilitated communication. The boy in the video is not speaking, his interpreter is speaking for him

[@noahd.4551]

This is an incredible example of perseverance. Congrats to Ben and his family for pushing through the challenges so that Ben could regain his voice.

[@lubystkaolamonola529]

We need to actually hear him speaking to state he regained his voice. After all he did not lose his vocal cords. Why? This is great question. I am glad that he found a new means of communication. But he needs to type instead of pointing finger to the letter board so he could deliver his thoughts in timely manner.

[@SuburbiaCA]

That was beautiful Ben. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

[@ana-OM]

Ben Thank You. I want to get closer to my six year old, non verbal (autism) girl. I love her so deeply. Phenomenal beautiful video, BEN Hugs 🫂 from Germany 🌹

[@eLfeOo809]

Mine Too Is 6yr Old Boy Non Verbal 🥹 God Bless Them 🙏🏾

[@KashyaSamuels]

Hopefully you’re providing her with an age appropriate TEXT TO SPEECH program, with pictures, and of course teaching her to read 💕 My son uses an app on his tablet

[@ana-OM]

@@KashyaSamuels hello, thank You for Your feed back. My small girl doesn't talk at all. I think she is smart, but I don't know what she knows or doesn't know. What is the name of the app Your Son use on his tablet ? And the TEXT TO SPEACH program, is that supposed to be an App too ?

[@lightloveandawake3114]

I don’t know if this would help anyone. It helped me and I would like to share. We have autism on both sides of the family. When my son was born I noticed that he had some issues with being overly stimulated. Whenever he would change into this way of being, I would put him down for a nap or early bedtime, turning off any sounds and lights. I carried on this way with him into his toddlerhood and early childhood. Thank you to this mom that put two and two together when her son pointed to octopus word instead of the picture. I wish you the best in your life’s journey.

[@samalsrei5089]

Thank you so much for sharing your story and normalizing non-verbal communication. I‘m autistic and verbal most of the time. I’m non-verbal today (glad I have understanding people in my life) and I feel seen bc of this video.

[@abandonedchannel3213]

Being someone with autism, when I saw this I was excited to hear what someone else with it felt and delt with it. This was a nice video and makes me feel better about dealing with autism.

[@jeanjaz]

Thank you for sharing a small piece of your struggles with us. I don't have a communication problem, but I have a physical disability and look very strange. I always compared myself to E.T. :) When I was younger children and even adults would stare or touch me - I guess to see if I was real or would react. I understood their puzzlement, but my mom said I shouldn't let them do that; what if they did that to someone who didn't understand and hurt them badly? So I would say, "That's not polite." While my younger sibs would glare at them. It reminded me of little terriers - my young brothers. Lol! Those of us who live in broken bodies know that we are not our bodies and have to separate our identities from it. I think people look too much on the outward, but the people who take the time to find the real you inside - those are true gems! I am so amazed, in awe, when a "normal" person is able to do that! Keep up the good fight, Ben! Find your passion and what your mission is in this world because we all have one. Even we whose bodies are broken., ~ Jean :)

[@bobwishart8780]

Inspirational words Jean

[@zoorenard1101]

I will never forget the day my daughter woke up and was a totally different person. Couldnt speak, disliked her favorite foods and had tantrums. To think that she might remembers is so hard to hear I thought she was way to young for that. I will also never forget the phrase " im in constant battle with my body ". She is a very happy child, but this shattered me. Thank you for sharing your story Ben.

[@jennifermassengill1635]

As a 52 year old with Asbergers, I just left a retail job i had for 31 years. I am now a SPED TA and work with kids with autism. I may have just found my squad.❤

[@JosieDunning-i8h]

Wonderful to hear your thoughts. I have a non-speaking 5yr old Grandauughter. She is starting to speak 4 words together in different situations. At times out of order but We understand her. You gave me so much hope and I admire you for helping us understand your thoughts and intelligence.

[@JenniferOrvik]

Thank you, Ben, for sharing your words with the world!

[@denverarchstaffing3462]

This is fantastic 💚

[@hannahmooney8688]

Thank you for sharing your story Ben! You are so unbelievably strong and inspiring ❤ Keep sharing your story with the world and working on projects you are passionate on!! We will be cheering you on!

[@denise41071]

Thank you for sharing your story, very inspiring. My son is 17 and has high functioning Autism, among other things. He is verbal, rarely quiet now, though late speaking. He has trouble with things that most people take for granted, but he's very talented with computers, programming, and more. He can barely do basic math, but has an huge memory and understanding of other things. I'm so glad you found your voice and I pray you'll continue to grow and have a great life and someday, meet that special girl. ❤

[@jenniferlorence185]

I deeply ADMIRED these People that Work with Special People.

[@jenniferlorence185]

They have a Special Gift and a Special Heart to Give Love.

[@gamer546lg5]

therapists suck

[@vinividivicci]

Was crying when watching this, my son is non-verbal too. He is turning 5 this year. God bless you Ben.

[@mordecaidrake]

Love this video... would love a platform for non-verbal and non- speaking voices... i am not either, but i loved hearing it and being enlightened by what they want and need to have the life they want

[@TomoyoTatar]

Thank you friend, when I look into the eyes of another human being it is so easy to see...you have so much to say!!

[@no-orwelliandystopia]

You're a champion to me , buddy .

[@KylaMeow]

I am the mom of a 5 year old autistic boy and he's the best gift I've ever been given. You know love isn't something that needs words it just is. Autistic individuals are here and have a very real purpose and I believe it is to show the world the purity of real unfiltered and unbreakable love. You're doing great young man! Don't let the world define you. I always remind myself that those that display the most unkindness are the ones who need it the most. Can't fight ignorance with more ignorance. ❤️

[@AdzaanMaiiTso]

i wonder how he's doing now. this video is 5 years old but it's still powerful and beautiful. he says he can't speak but thinks he's found his voice and it's a powerful one! he's also suprisingly articulate and obviously extemenly intelligent. not that i didn't expect him to be, but having the patience to spell out exactly what he wanted say to his translator despite everything he's experiencing is far beyond me. i'd use texting lingo and abbreviate the heck out of everything.

[@keishajpmes1103]

💜 love this💜

[@ereillyhodes]

Thanks for sharing your story, Ben! You are a strong, brave young man and I wish you all the best.

[@lorikrafft8197]

I am a grandmother to a two-year-old autistic boy who is nonverbal. I wish I knew more on how to help him. I can tell he’s a very bright boy. He knows what he wants. He’s finding his way of communicating by grabbing our hands and leading him to and what he wants, he makes some sound but they’re not words I can see his intelligence because he knows simple basic things like helping get himself dressed picking up his shoes going over to a door when he wants to go outside bringing my hand and putting it on the door if he wants to go for a ride in the car, he will lead me over to the car, put my hand on the door knobso I will open it. He’s a miracle to be alive. He’s a blessing. It’s a gift from God. I just wish I knew better how to help him communicate.

[@ChristianSasso]

Very touching; also, a reminder to never assume anything about people.

[@stephanieb7992]

What a great video. Keep on talking, Ben. Even if some of the people you are talking to don't deserve to hear you. No worries. They aren't really listening to anyone but themselves anyway.

[@gamer546lg5]

garbage video

[@kadyelle]

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Ben! I'm so glad you've found your voice. Thank you for helping me see that I should not underestimate those who are unable to speak.

[@Anonymous-df8it]

Why can't he speak though? He clearly has a larynx, so what's stopping him from speaking? I'm not trying to be rude; I'm genuinely curious.

[@chriscintron3320]

@@Anonymous-df8iti am not non verbal and i do not know his reasons for not being able to speak. however, an example is that when i am very overwhelmed, specifically sensory overload, its INCREDIBLY difficult to speak. its like my head cant jumble my thoughts in the correct way so that i can formulate a sentence. its like im choking. if i was trying to say "hi my name is christopher, and i enjoy painting", on the way of trying to get me to actually SAY my thought, my brain starts distorting it into stuff like "hi, paint i am chris and paint enjoy paint and name paint". it makes no sense because i cant go from point a to point b. this is just one example though. theres a whole lot of reasons like selective mutism for example. ive heard some of them describe it as choking if they try to speak.

[@Anonymous-df8it]

@@chriscintron3320 So, to summarize, you forget word order?

[@chriscintron3320]

@@Anonymous-df8it that feels very simplified but yes

[@Anonymous-df8it]

@@chriscintron3320 Why couldn't you just use a heavily inflected language so that word order doesn't matter?

[@Zhangli-i3h]

I wish him the very best. He looks like such a cool kind person!

[@anshukapoor5125]

Love love this. What an incredible video Ben and so inspiring and moving at the same time. Great job indeed.

[@LAWOODSTORIES]

It gives me so much hope for my daughter. Hope she will find her voice too. 😊

[@sandrawinans6547]

Ben, I hear you, i used to work for mental health and worked with autistic clients, I am happy to hear your story and encourage you to keep working at it, i think our brains control alot...the world is made up of energy and i hope you keep finding the good. So proud of You. God Bless.

[@trixpluss8613]

Is the whole video's text written by him? He has a spectacular mind.

[@MomLuvs2Collect]

God bless this intelligent young man who is finally able to share his thoughts, how liberated he must feel 👏! I pray that he is doing even better today and I would love to see an update to this young man's story 🙏!

[@brendanfairfield6448]

I believe we autist people are here to challenge normal peoples perception of intelligence. I was the opposite of you BEN. I was mute until age 4. My Parents thought I was deaf.

[@vkhken1966]

I have 2 grandchildren that are non verbal 2 & 3 years old boy and girl. They know how to get their point across. My granddaughter will grab my hand and put it around her waist or put it on her belly to show me she wants me to pick her up or just hug her. My grandson is starting to do the same things. I absolutely adore them more than life itself and I will do whatever I can to help them.

[@Anthony-fb9nu]

We are very proud and your mother and I also have a son who has autism and he’s 14 years old and learning by watching your videos and don’t forget young man you are a role model and my best friend has autism may god continue blessing you and your mother being a role model in Jesus name - Amen

[@visionvixxen]

🙏🙏🙏 I feel you. Praying for you… so so sorry.

[@civilizedagesabers]

My son's name is Ben. 3.5 year old with Autism. Non verbal. Put him on broccoli gummies and hes been trying to talk words. I hope I will hear him talk some day. I fear the thought of being trapped in the body.

[@audiologyassociatesofharri4756]

Thank you for sharing your story Ben! It's amazing, and so are you!

[@ksarecords8099]

How can he read and write but not talk? Genuine question.

[@mohspatel1385]

I am happy for you that you found a way to connect to the world, My son is autostics non verbal, he is 7 and still have no words, I feel like I am watching his future here, feeling very sad for him, I wanted to helphim with my best ability but as time goes my hopes are also going away.

[@camiriofrio6995]

Thank you Ben for teaching us and for the srength you have! Your battle can be won! God bless you so

[@svens.1871]

I am autistic and can speak. But restricted sometimes, especially when conversations get very deep. I can’t find words and form correct sentences to express my thoughts. It frustrates me, but it’s much easier when writing.

[@kaya.ali.]

Hi Ben! I am autistic as well. Still where I have grown its a taboo and people are uneducated and unaware of special brains that has been gifted to us by our Creator. Thanks for being so brave to decide being visible to raise awareness for our cause! I would not have that courage. Lions like you always motivate me more, I know that we will never walk alone. Wherever you are my neurodiverse folks: you always have someone that feels like you and able to understand you. Greetings!

[@Anonymous-df8it]

I'd argue that an omnipotent, omniscient creator, would be quite malevolent to make someone unable to speak

[@kaya.ali.]

@@Anonymous-df8it it is not our business to question his work. However he has promised both in bible and Quran that he will never burden a soul with something that s/he can not carry. In the realm of souls he took each of us and asked face to face whether we would be willing to go to earth to have free will and endure difficulties and tests and still worship to him no matter what. We said yes! This is why we are on earth now. He created us, every inch of our body, every moment of our life, every single emotion sensation we have all are under his control. He loves us and he never wants his servants to suffer in vain. Many times things that you do not like are actually good for your own sake. It is just something that you cannot grasp because talking bad about your creator who has given you those fingers to type that message, this is making you blind and you are not able to see the truth anymore. We are in this world for approximately an hour for a simple test. For such simple test Allah is able to create such a universe just by saying “BE” ! And he indeed has the power to destroy it immediately and create us again and judge all of us. He is indeed merciful, although you are cursing to him, he lets me tell his truth to you. You see how much he loves you? Even when you talk nonsense about him he still wants you under his safety in eternal gardens of peace where all your desires would be satisfied and you will never face any kind of bad feelings. It is all about a test that we are going through for an hour. When we wake up you will see we all are walking towards our creator to be judged by him. Wait, you will see. You will see his angels when moment of death grasps you. There is nothing to discuss about Allah and his work, if you are really willing to learn why this and that happens with good intentions he will definitely lead you and guide you to his way. However if you question his creation with bad evil unrespectful intentions than you will never be able to understand the truth until God forgives you. And if he will not let you to see the truth you will think and feel that everything that you do are fine with your life and you are literally doing great. This is one of the worst thing to happen to someone, you think that you are on right path but Allah just let you enjoy this temporary realm for an hour. Indeed the day of judgment is near, may be your time of death is even few minutes later. Only Allah knows. Accept that he is the only God and we can only worship to him and his last messenger is Muhammed as just as Jesus as was also as his merely messenger. InshaAllah you will find peace. God does not leave you alone, you try to distance yourself from him. May peace be upon you.

[@KashyaSamuels]

This is so painful and beautiful to watch as my 12 year old son is experiencing something similar, although only non verbal for the last two years. He uses text to speech.

[@ivangh94]

This is impresive!

[@JohnSmith-td7hd]

I've never heard of progressive autism. I think this could be a very rare case, but nonetheless something extremely worthy of study.

[@tiseytise]

What an amazing young man

[@jessicaaysseh2645]

Beautiful piece! 😊. Thank you Ben and family for sharing your story!! 😘😍

[@hanag5517]

I love this. BRAVO!!!!!!!

[@f8ofk8]

Don't let Betsey DeVos see this.

[@italktoomuch6442]

I'm unfamiliar with this. What has she said this time?

[@benskelly1217]

Some of the most misunderstood people in this world; Luckily people are learning more about them..... I supposedly have high-functioning Autism, my heart goes out to those who “have it worse” than I; But I’m sure there’s benefits, even if only a small amount... (Such as intelligence/unique abilities/just being good-natured in general/etc.........)

[@benskelly1217]

However, I don’t like the political tinge of this video; Nonetheless, it IS W.A.P.O. lol...

[@RodrigoSilvaRocha]

My little brother (age 10) is autistic and he is able to speak basic sentences, and communicate simple concepts. Unfortunately, one of his classmates didn't improve due to seizures, so he actually lost cognitive capacity. I would love to see my brother have an "as normal" normal life one can live, but he is young and has a lot to learn.

[@StopProject2025]

How do we convince everyone that there are fully formed intelligent people inside high support needs people with autism? I am a low support needs autistic. I speak well if memorized. I want to use my voice to educate people that for each word you get out there are thousands more inside trying to get out too. I also wonder if it hurts for many to speak because of spd.

[@myworldautistic6839]

This is an awesome video.

[@lubystkaolamonola529]

I think something is wrong with either diagnostic or therapy when a well spoken boy turns mute and is forced to use alternative ways of communication. Autism did not just pop out like a toy from the box. Something does not add up.

[@katelynfe]

It changes over time as the brain develops. Its a developmental disorder.

[@Lolypop123]

Amazing story Ben I got autism myself I hope one day you can speak buddy

[@meredithaltschuler8149]

Incredibly inspiring! Thank you for this!!

[@lindatino4288]

I can't love this video anymore than I already do!!! Ben is an amazing young man who has impacted the lives of both me and my son, and we have never met him! He is the reason my son voted for the first time and Ben has shown us how much is possible for all autistic people. Keep us the good work Ben and maybe some day you and my son Gregory can meet and have a conversation together with your letterboards! Thank you Washington Post for sharing this amazing story!!!

[@jeanjaz]

Strength, hope, and courage to all parents of children with communication problems. It is so hard to see the way others look at the child you love. I was that child in my own family. I didn't have a communication problem, but I had severe juvenile arthritis that flared terribly when I was 17. My younger sibs used to glare at people who stared. I felt badly for all of them - the people who had no clue, and my family who was frustrated. Our society is so materialistic, so fast. No one has the leisure to wait for true communication, true relationship. I pray courage and patience to you and your son!! ~ Jean :)

[@beefykeith48]

this is adorable! i wish you all the best for you , and your lovely son!

[@xorobin_12]

My best friend is non verbal keep fighting!

[@m00nbone]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO!!!!!!!!!

[@ArthurKiyanovski]

This is very cool. I wonder why he needs to use a letter board and not some touch screen that can also autocomplete the words for quicker talking.

[@DannyD-lr5yg]

I wonder if something bothers him about the light, sound (like an imperceptible hum or something), or even static/touch sensations from screens or tablets. My cousin is nonverbal autistic, and when we were kids, we all knew NOT to let a VHS tape end and send the tv screen to static, or let the channel get flipped to a static station. _Even if the sound was off and his back was turned, he INSTANTLY knew when static came on the screen._ I don’t know how! But he’d wheel around and become distressed, start rocking, etc, until it was changed.

[@kristatorsell4535]

My non verbal son just started using an Ipad to communicate with his helper. Due to lack of muscle strength in the hands, wrist and forearm, he has to wear a brace and his therapist helps support his wrists as he types. We are doing strength exercises with him, but for now, the ipad sits in a special table top stand. He does prefers the ipad over the letter board. It's a progression, it'll probably take a long time before he'll type with me or his dad. He states it's too emotional. Overwhelming emotions and anxiety hinder typing with loved ones, this mom is lucky.

[@ilikeceral3]

@@DannyD-lr5yg it’s also probable that he finds it more reliable in case he doesn’t have electricity.

[@gamer546lg5]

But he can also just grab paper and a pencil to simply write instead of pointing at letters Stupid video Plus therapy is bad

[@matthewcrome]

This is clearly RPM, which has been scientifically disproven and on par with Facilitated Communication. Let him use his real voice, through AAC. Don't speak for him through disproven methods.

[@josiemaromi6981]

Your statement is actually incorrect, this is Spelling to Communicate and in S2C there is no physical contact between the facilitator and the speller. Notice how no one is touching Ben, and his assistant is only holding the letterboard at a 90 degree angle. Many advanced spellers are using a keyboard in a cradle, it just takes a lot of motor control over apraxia to get to that point. Studies show that when spelling, the speller's eyes track to the next letter faster than anyone would be able to prompt them. See "Eye-tracking reveals agency in assisted autistic communication" Scientific Reports (2020). Jordyn Zimmerman is an example of a successful S2C graduate. Is she fake as well?

[@queenfan45]

You can see the intelligence in his eyes.

[@paitoonkhemapanon9692]

Good luck you will make it some how

[@kvt896]

You are amazing!

[@wn7915]

Can he write? Or type sentences on a computer? Just wondering the story that is being told by another voice is that a text that he typed himself? Because the whole story with a letterboard might be days or weeks to have this story... just curious 😊

[@SoohNabis]

from what i understood with consciousness. The Brain is only an antenna for the consciousness that incarnate the body to communicate with the physical world and the body. If the brain is affected, damaged, or has an anomaly, the antenna will badly receive the signal. When an authistic people die, his consciousness become Greater again. We remains who we are deeply in the heart, but the consciousness is no longer affected. Same for healthy people. Our consciousness is not the same in Heaven. yes we remains who we are, but with a higher consciousness because we understand things we can't with a human brain.

[@metoo19851]

why don't you just position the board on a table? we know why.....

[@gamer546lg5]

yes because stupid video

[@josiemaromi6981]

They cannot position the board on the table because the speller's apraxia limits their motor control. Many advanced spellers are using a keyboard in a cradle, it just takes a lot of motor control over apraxia to get to that point. Studies show that when spelling, the speller's eyes track to the next letter faster than anyone would be able to prompt them. See "Eye-tracking reveals agency in assisted autistic communication" Scientific Reports (2020). Jordyn Zimmerman is an example of a successful S2C graduate.

[@metoo19851]

@@josiemaromi6981 autism is not locked in sydrome. Stop this bullshit.

[@clairelee9011]

This is a great solution but isn't there a high-tech version by now? What about a large touch screen so there would be no need for a human "interpreter"?

[@michaelc2551]

I saw another individual who used a letter board and he said it was so he didn’t break it? But since this man does seem to carry a tablet, it might just be preference or something. Or because he finds it difficult to learn high tech when low tech works just fine? Who knows, everyone has unique needs and reasons for their chosen method of communication.

[@conservativestatesofamerica]

As a father of identical twin boys that are nonverbal autistic. I wonder what causes it? I asked the doctor, where are all the old autistic people? If it has always been around like he claims then show me an autistic person in their 70s I have yet to find one. So my question remains, what is causing it?

[@flungout7562]

this vídeo is essencial for everyone!

[@andressa4457]

I wish that was a cure :(

[@EncompassingChaos6]

This video makes me wonder what it would be like for these individuals if they spent time in a sensory deprivation tank. What might that do for them?

[@YellinUpAStorm]

Why wouldn’t he just type it on an iPad or something where she would not have to puzzle out every letter and word painstakingly? Keyboards exist! Or he could learn to fingerspell, which is easy and convenient.

[@garry652oo]

time is not absolute

[@VoxSilva-s8m]

Now we have chip implants non verbal should be able to speak again ❤

[@martinm2871]

What about sign language?

[@benjaminbreaux1089]

martin martinez Good question! People like Ben suffer from motor apraxia - which means having a hard time having finite control over muscle memory and purposeful movement, there for having the ability to move the fingers as wanted/needed for sign language can be difficult.

[@Anonymous-df8it]

@@benjaminbreaux1089 What about teaching him spoken language again?

[@thomasplouffe1363]

that is kind of strange, i have never seen a autistic person who could speak when they were young loosing that communication ability, as an autistic person myself i was also advanced with my speech, by the time i was a year old i was speaking full sentences and by two i could carry a conversation with a adult, did something happen to ben when he was a toddler then left him feeling like talking was a bad thing?

[@benjaminbreaux1089]

It is known as "Regressive Autism" where there are a loss of skills and, often, out loud speech, around age two or so.

[@VoxSilva-s8m]

Wow this can just like happen out of the blue?

[@clifffor1179]

Moving story.

[@gamer546lg5]

no

[@kieran8266]

Errol Flynn wasn't British but nice video

[@davidcook9732]

My son can't talk

[@soniczforever5470]

I talked once but i got abused for everything i said. I live in supported living. Everything said is policed. Every movement is policed also. Even get yelled at for pointing my finger at the wall gesticulating im thinking of killing myself. Im a 5st anorexic my days are numbered i said my hip hurt to another service user i was severaly reprimanded. Id given her my car as travel is unbearable due to my lack of padding. I got grounded because i said i dreaded an appointment another time because i felt said so the answer is not to talk anymore. Sometimes talking gets you nowhere. I am also avoiding the kitchen more as id like to lose some weight

[@oraliavailcastro7233]

Blessings

[@ricesandarling594]

based dude

[@garry652oo]

time . i am aware . helicoilical you c me in several spots . i am a beat of music that thumps

[@ianrlack]

Shame on you, Betsy Devos

[@MazCat]

Me seeing this video on my recommendations and going 'bet you any money that's S2C'. And behold. When a facilitator allows the pair of them to do a blinded test, like what found out facilitated communication, then I'll start considering this as any use at all. Google the actual scientific evidence, people.

[@ElizabethHurtado-py8ur]

👏