nonspeaking
Communicates without words
Nonspeaking describes someone who does not use spoken language to communicate, particularly in reference to autistic individuals or others with conditions affecting speech.
The term is preferred over "nonverbal" because many nonspeaking people communicate through writing, typing, sign language, or assistive devices: My nonspeaking son uses an AAC device to talk with us.
A person may be nonspeaking consistently or only in certain situations.
Lacking in sound
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- unspokenNot verbally expressed
- taciturnHabitually uncommunicative
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
reserved · hushed · soundless · mute · speechless · tight-lipped · uncommunicative · laconic
Inability to vocalize
- laryngectomyExcision of vocal apparatus
- dysphoniaImpaired voice production
- mutismAbsence of speech
- selective mutismAnxiety disorder preventing speech
apraxia · aphasia · nonverbal · voiceless · phonation · dysarthria · intubated · tracheostomy
Sound compression format
- augmentativeDenotes largeness or emphasis
- assistive technologyDisability-compensating devices and software
- communication boardTool for wordless conversation
- letterboardBoard with insertable characters
eye gaze · typing · facilitated · RPM · spelling · voice output
Wordless expressive performer
- pantomimeDrama through gesture alone
- charadesWordless guessing game
- body languageUnspoken physical expression
- gesticulateCommunicate through body movements
emote · signal · beckon · wave · nod · shrug · point · thumbs up
Having a developmental neurotype
- neurodivergentHaving atypical brain function
- autism spectrumRange of neurodevelopmental conditions
- neurotypeCognitive configuration category
- support needsAssistance a person requires
Unable to hear
- fingerspellingLetter-by-letter hand alphabet
- interpreterOne who conveys meaning between languages
- manualWritten instructions for use
- signedWrote one's name on
deaf culture · hand signs · visual language · classifiers · deaf community · hearing impaired · coda · handshape
quiet
Lacking in sound
reticent · reserved · hushed · soundless · mute · speechless · tight-lipped · uncommunicative · laconic · unvoiced
aphonia
Inability to vocalize
- laryngectomyExcision of vocal apparatus
- dysphoniaImpaired voice production
- mutismAbsence of speech
selective mutism · apraxia · aphasia · nonverbal · voiceless · phonation · dysarthria · intubated · tracheostomy
AAC
Sound compression format
- augmentativeDenotes largeness or emphasis
- assistive technologyDisability-compensating devices and software
- communication boardTool for wordless conversation
letterboard · eye gaze · typing · facilitated · RPM · spelling · voice output
mime
Wordless expressive performer
- pantomimeDrama through gesture alone
- charadesWordless guessing game
- body languageUnspoken physical expression
gesticulate · emote · signal · beckon · wave · nod · shrug · point · thumbs up · eye roll
autistic
Having a developmental neurotype
- neurodivergentHaving atypical brain function
- autism spectrumRange of neurodevelopmental conditions
- neurotypeCognitive configuration category
deaf
Unable to hear
- fingerspellingLetter-by-letter hand alphabet
- interpreterOne who conveys meaning between languages
- manualWritten instructions for use
signed · deaf culture · hand signs · visual language · classifiers · deaf community · hearing impaired · coda · handshape
- Neurodiversityautism spectrum, ASD, neurodivergence, neurotypical, spectrum
speak, speech, speaker, speaking, outspoken, unspeakable, unspeaking, nonspeaker, nonspeakers