#nonlexic

[PT: lexic-flux!! /end PT]

[ID: 6 striped flag with a blue-ish black, horizontal, pointed line in the very center. the flag colors (from up to down) are light green, green, dark green, cream, tan, and dark tan. /end ID]

definition:

[PT: definition: /end PT]

lexicflux: variably struggling to comprehend, process, and produce language. ability to communicate can fluctuate in difficulty, length, frequency, and more.

fluctuations can happen at any time or duration, at random or from specific causes.

this is inclusive of any and all types of language, including spoken, written, and signed.

common experiences:

[PT: common experiences: /end PT]

– referring to brain as being "silent" for not forming internal thoughts

– avoiding written text because of inability to interpret and process words

– going "i'll just find a spoken version of this text!" in response to the previous experience, only to be overwhelmed and still unable to process it

– struggling to use forms of AAC because you still can't make any sense or coherency out of your thoughts, even when the words are pre-written in front of you or simplified to gestures because it's just. noise.

– spending twice as long responding to messages because brain suddenly stops working

– spectating conversations from your cozy, cozy corner

flag and terms are based on the nonlexic and verbalflux definitions.

[pr: Nonlexic And Semilexic /end pt]

[ID: a rectangular flag with six equally-sized horizontal stripes and colors in this order, up to down: light brown, brown, dark brown, light blue, blue and dark blue. In the center there is a symbol which is a thick pointy black line. END ID]

[ID: the same flag with different colors, in this order, up to down: light blue, blue, dark blue, light brown, brown and dark brown. END ID]

Nonlexic: the total loss of ability to comprehend, process, and produce language.

Semilexic: the partial loss of ability to comprehend, process, and produce language.

Ok, so I’ve actually looked into this because I experience this a lot and always thought of it as something separate from going nonverbal. But I’ve also always also felt my ability to process language (going nonlexic and semilexic) as well as ability to write words (going nonscribal or semiscribal) worked like my ability to speak with my mouthparts (nonverbal & semiverbal). Enough that I coined the two sets of words to match the non/semiverbal. And, the results of other autistic people saying the words would be useful to them made me think that this wasn’t just  a me thing, but an autistic thing.

The use of language difficulties is referred to as aphasia. From the National  Aphasia  Association’s website:

Aphasia is an impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write. Aphasia is always due to injury to the brain-most commonly from a stroke, particularly in older individuals. But brain injuries resulting in aphasia may also arise from head trauma, from brain tumors, or from infections.

Which seems a lot like what I experience as part of being autistic. However, aphasia is due to something such as injury or infection, that causes injury to the brain. So it’s not like autism in that you’re born being autistic but not with aphasia. However, there is a lot of discussion over the differences and whether or not it’s also an autistic thing if you google autism and aphasia.

So, is it an autistic thing? I honestly can’t tell you yes or no, but the more I look into it and learn, the more it seems like it’s related to being autistic somehow.

If someone experiences this but aren't autistic, then what word(s) could that individual use? Are there any terms that aren't autism-exclusive?

There is the mutism awareness flag (link) who was made specifically to be non exclusive to autistic people. This is the only thing I can think of who is similar to what you are searching for. :(

Edit: these terms are not exclusive to autistic people (except semilexic and nonlexic), thank you @cryptid-aac for the correction! /serious

I made semilexic and nonlexic flags that aren't exclusive to autistic ppl, anon. Here is the link (link).

I agree that it would be nice to have terms with flags similar to semiverbal, demiverbal, verbalflux, choiceverbal and nonverbal + semilexic and nonlexic but inclusive to all disabilities because so many disabilities can cause difficulties to communicate verbally and/or the ability to use words.

pt: Nonlexic Pride Flag /end pt

Nonlexic - The total loss of ability to comprehend, process, and produce language. Flag only to be used by autistic people.

Semilexic Pride Flag

pt: Semilexic Pride Flag /end pt

Semilexic - The partial loss of ability to comprehend, process, and produce language. Flag only to be used by autistic people.

Requested by @arco-pluris, based on this post (link).

ASL is a language, so yes, it would.

oh! I believe mod r was referring to this post!

Yes. Just like your ability to produce language with your mouth can be affected, so too can your ability to process language.

While we talk a lot about going nonverbal or semiverbal and our ability to speak with our mouth parts, there’s this little disclaimer that comes along with it saying some people may also experience the inability to process/comprehend spoken/written language (especially during a meltdown/shutdown/sensory overload).

We also stress the presumption of ability. Meaning, we treat people like they can understand us even if they are unable to communicate with us (via speaking. ASL, AAC or whatever). But, it’s also the reality that as autistic, our ability to receive language input can go offline.

Although I should note that auditory processing problems can make it difficult to process incoming spoken language, which is also an autistic thing. (But APD doesn’t cover the loss of ability to process written language.)

Because this is something I experience frequently, I created a survey and together we came up with the terms semilexic and nonlexic to describe this.

So, just like the loss/lack of ability to produce spoken language with our mouthparts is being/going nonverbal or semiverbal, our loss/lack of ability to understand/comprehend/process language is semilexic or nonlexic.

(Special note: These are self descriptor terms and should not be applied to others without their consent since we presume they are able.)