Going nonverbal is not a thing.
I’m a part time AAC user due to verbal shutdowns. I use a high tech AAC device, text to speech apps, communication cards and a DIY letter board.
A lot of people like me, who experience verbal shutdowns incorrectly label themselves as “nonverbal”. This misuse of language actually harms the nonspeaking community, and speaks over their lived experience. Nonverbal and nonspeaking describe a full time, long term state of being unable to speak much or at all.
This is not the same as sometimes being usually able to speak, but experiencing verbal loss.
Now don’t get me wrong, if you’ve been using nonverbal to describe yourself for a long time, only to realize that word wasn’t for you, it can be a big change. Even I was quite resistant at first to change my use of language.
But this is important. Nonspeaking people are so often left out of conversations, and so rarely given chances to share their opinions. But the majority of the nonspeaking community has made it clear that this is not a word for people like me, and it’s important to listen to them.
If you’re struggling to find a correct term for temporary loss of speech, here are some alternatives ⬇️⬇️⬇️