How would you communicate with a nonverbal autistic person? You hear they are in their own world and are not capable of full communication. Belief in intelligence in every person is essential and important. You can communicate with nonverbal autistics by using Rapid Prompting Method (RPM). RPM is a method in which you presume intelligence in all and teach grade level education with fast paced instruction. You start with choices first, then quickly move to pointing on an ABC Stencil Board to spell the answer. Let’s get started!
First, you need to find a quiet room with little distractions and a table with two chairs side by side. 25 minutes is a good start to work each day. Next, you will need some equipment: sharpened pencils, paper, visual timer, ABC stencil board and number board, and a laminated marvelous letterboard with numbers on the back. (See Figure 1.) Now, you are ready to start!
Figure 1
When you are ready, get your student or nonverbal child and sit at the table with them on their right side always. Place the visual timer on the table so the student sees how long the lessons will last. This helps the student’s visual senses. Next, start with a simple lesson on the sky. Use a “teach and ask” method, RPM, which you speak normal and keep a fast pace in order to keep the student engaged. You could start by saying, “The sun is yellow.” Then ask the student, “What did I say?” Now, quickly grab a sheet of paper then rip it into two small pieces and write two choices, green or yellow, while saying them aloud. (See Figure 2.)
Figure 2
Next, place the choices in front of the student then tap on each choice while saying them out loud again, “Green or yellow.” Move quickly and give the pencil to the student to point to the choice. (See Figure 3.) If the student chooses incorrectly then correct him and move on. Now, quickly grab the pencil and continue with the lesson in this same manner and technique.
Figure 3
Figure 4
Importantly, make the student answer each time and don’t attend to behaviors. Continue to work for 25 minutes then gradually increase the working time. Once the student masters choices, then start using the ABC stencil board and number board to have the student spell the answer after choosing the correct choice. For example, you could state, “The moon revolves around the earth.” Then ask the student, “What did I say?” Grab paper again ripping into two pieces and write Earth and Venus on each piece of ripped paper. Now, give the pencil to the student to choose and then quickly grab the pencil and tell him to spell the answer, earth. Next, grab the ABC stencil board, hold it in front of him and then hand him the pencil to pierce through each letter of the word Earth. (See Figure 4.) Make sure to write Earth on the paper in front of him after he points to each letter on the stencil board. Continue to use the pencil in the same way as choices. By giving the pencil to the student, this indicates to him that he must answer the question. Give prompts quickly, as needed, to help him move his body to point accurately to each letter. The prompts will disappear, developing fluidity in pointing great, healing communication.
At the same time, continue making lessons on grade level material having a variety of subjects to capture his meaningful intelligence. Make sure to only ask questions about the lessons at this time letting him master the ABC stencil board and number board. You can move to a laminated letterboard when he is accurate with the stencil board. (See Figure 5.)
Figure 5
Lastly, making connections to brain synapses helps get the uncooperative body to help amend. Using the marvelous stencil board and letterboard can create having insight to autism’s higher intelligence in nonverbal autism. You must have great patience and maverick attention to see moments of marvelous connection to unlock the autistic mind. It is hard, but belief in all makes healing to the nonverbal autistic person and finally gives them a voice.
