Is your non-verbal child truly feeling seen and loved?
Children with non-verbal autism express love in their own unique ways. If you’re a teacher, parent, or caregiver, understanding their love language is essential to building a positive and supportive relationship.
Let me guide you in strengthening your connection, so together we can create a loving environment where every child feels valued and has the space to thrive.
Contact and start making a lasting difference today!
Every child deserves to feel loved
However, when it comes to children with non-verbal autism, the way they express and receive love might look a bit different. They communicate their emotions, contentment, and affection in their unique ways—through body language, eye contact, touch, and more. Their love languages may not always be immediately clear, especially in environments like classrooms where other children receive smiles and attention. But it’s essential to understand that these children feel and respond to emotions deeply.
As parents, teachers, and caregivers, it’s crucial to know how to communicate love in a way that resonates with these children. Doing so not only helps them feel loved but also fosters a positive emotional environment, reducing any feelings of isolation or alienation they may experience.
The emotional bank account model:
In every relationship, there is an emotional bank account. Positive interactions are like deposits, and negative experiences are withdrawals. Keeping a positive balance in the emotional bank account—especially with non-verbal children—requires understanding and nurturing their unique ways of expressing love.
When you understand a child’s love language, you can make intentional deposits of affection and care, strengthening the relationship and creating an atmosphere where the child feels seen, understood, and loved. When you don’t understand their communication, you may unintentionally make withdrawals, which can lead to feelings of frustration and disconnect.
Recognizing and understanding non-verbal love languages:
For non-verbal children, love is often communicated through actions rather than words. Here are a few examples of how they might express their affection:
- Body language: Children may express joy and affection through eye contact, soft touches, or proximity. They may lean into you, smile, or even rest their head on your shoulder.
- Touch: A gentle touch on the face or a “face cuddle” (one face touching another) can be a sign of connection and affection.
- Happy gestures: Some children may show contentment through happy dances, jumping, or spontaneous movements.
- Sharing or giving: A non-verbal child may show love by sharing something they like with you, such as a favorite toy or a gesture of kindness.
- …
Recognizing these forms of communication is essential in creating a positive and balanced emotional bank account.
How to create a positive emotional balance:
- Be aware of your own emotions: Children, especially those with autism, are very sensitive to the emotions of those around them. If you show frustration or worry, they may pick up on it, even if they don’t fully understand what it means. Strive to communicate calmness and love if possible.
- Observe and learn: If you’re a teacher or caregiver, take the time to observe the child from a distance before jumping into interactions. Understanding their responses to different environments and people can help you connect better.
- Communicate love in their language: Find out what makes the child feel loved—whether it’s physical affection, quiet moments, shared activities, or verbal praise. The more you understand their unique love language, the more you’ll be able to make intentional deposits into their emotional bank account.
- Self-care for you, too: Taking care of yourself is crucial. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to take breaks and recharge. When you’re feeling loved and balanced, you’ll be better equipped to support the child.
Are you ready to start making positive changes?
Understanding and communicating love to non-verbal children is not only about giving—it’s also about receiving. When a child shows love or appreciation and you can really feel it, it helps you build positive energy for yourself, that you need to continue supporting them effectively.
If you’re a teacher, parent, or caregiver looking to make changes, I’m here to help. Let’s work together to find strategies to make both your child and you feel loved, seen, and valued by each-other.
Connect with me here: Contact. and find my services Services. Whether it’s for a consultation or just a free chat over coffee for some input.