Editor’s Note: This article previously appeared in a different format as part of The Atlantic’s Notes section, retired in 2021. Jim Elliott—a long-time reader contributor to Notes and one of the core ...

Under the harsh fluorescent lights of an emergency room, most people can verbally communicate their symptoms and severity of pain to a nurse. Those who cannot use their voice to communicate must rely ...

Several years ago, a mother from the northeast region of the United States contacted me inquiring about helping her nonspeaking adolescent autistic son communicate. I listened to her description and ...

For people with autism—especially those with intellectual disabilities, or others with extensive support needs—communicating needs and ideas can be difficult. Many rely on intense individualized ...