It is a very common question for people in our position to ask… does my autistic child understand me?

Naturally it is impossible to make any informed judgement without spending time with the child but we may be able to help you come to your own conclusion.

Autism and communication

Autistic children may have difficulty with social communication, which can make it challenging for them to understand their parents’ verbal and nonverbal cues.

However, this does not necessarily mean that they do not understand their parents at all.

One important thing to keep in mind is that communication is a two-way street.

While it may be frustrating for parents when their child does not respond or seems to ignore them, it’s important to remember that some of what is being said may be breaking through.

Ok so how can I tell if they’ve understood?

To better recognise whether an autistic child is understanding their parents, it can be helpful to look for other indicators of comprehension.

For example, the child may demonstrate an understanding of routines or rules, even if they are not able to express this verbally.

They may also show an interest in certain topics or activities, or demonstrate an ability to follow simple instructions.

An example where a child may have understood a request would be if you ask your child to take off their shoes.

They may not take off their shoes but they may show restraint in running inside the house or they may sit waiting for their shoes to be taken off.

Another example would be if you asked your child to be quiet and instead they changed activity but carried on doing something loud.

They’ve acknowledged the request in their own way.

Try different methods

It’s also important to consider the child’s individual communication style and preferences. For example, some autistic children may prefer written communication or visual aids, such as pictures or diagrams, to help them understand information.

With this in mind you could try incorporating pictures into your requests. Something like having pictures of shoes and then placing them in a cupboard to show your child what you would like them to do.

Summary – Does my autistic child understand me

While autistic children may have difficulty with social communication, it’s important to remember that they are still capable of understanding and processing information.

By using clear and simple language, incorporating visual aids when appropriate, and being patient and understanding, parents can help their autistic children to better understand and navigate the world around them.