Giving Voice to Non-Speakers: Language, Respect and the Power of Naming

• By: Annie Kent, MA Psychology #ActuallyAutistic Mental Health/ Autism Advocate, Freelance Writer, and Educator
• July 9th, 2026
• autism advocacy, Autism terminology, communication differences, disability rights, inclusive education, neurodiversity, non-speaking Autism, person-first language, Summer 2026 Issue
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For the longest time, I used the term non-speaking synonymously with non-verbal, having been taught ‘non-verbal’ in graduate school. Since that time, new terms and definitions have emerged with the advent of a variety of disability rights movements. Person-First Language Person-first...