Asperger’s children will experience both verbal and non-verbal communication problems. Though they often have very advanced verbal skills, spoken language is difficult for them to understand. Keep conversation simple and precise. Metaphors have to be explained to be understood, as do similes. Asperger’s children tend to take your words literally and make interpretations concrete. Some Asperger’s children may experience delayed speech, but most do not. They tend to use phrases they have heard and committed to memory, although they frequently use them out of context. Parents of children with Asperger’s may need to translate phrases in order to decipher exact meanings.
Asperger’s children can, at times, speak in an odd way. They may be loud, speak very formally, or even in a monotonous tone. They may talk incessantly about an area of interest without realizing that the listener is experiencing intense boredom. Often they have trouble finding the right words to express what they are trying to say. They have the same problem expressing their feelings and may appear to speak “at you” instead of “to you.”
The Asperger’s child does not make direct eye contact, nor do they understand body language and facial expressions, though these things can be taught successfully. These children tend to have odd facial expressions and find the reading of facial expression and body language in others to be beyond their comprehension abilities. This tends to initiate further problems, including frustration and anxiety.
Teaching Body Language
The easiest and simplest way to teach body language and facial expressions is through a fun game. Make a face and ask the child to guess its meaning. Continue playing this game for a few minutes each day until the child learns what you are communicating. Some examples are sad, happy, surprise and frowns. Once the child has mastered facial expressions, play the same game to teach body language. Knowledge of basic facial expressions and body language gives the Asperger’s child a definite advantage when interacting with others.