Unlocking the World of Idioms for Autistic Children

Language and communication are fascinating and complex all at once. At its core, language is a powerful tool we use to express our thoughts, feelings, and ideas, while also helping us share knowledge and experiences with others. But it's not just about the words we use. There's a whole other layer of complexity when you think about non-verbal cues like body language, tone, and facial expressions. People constantly navigate the intricacies of language, deciphering meaning, context, and intent, which can be challenging even among those speaking the same language.

Language and communication can be challenging for autistic individuals due to difficulties in understanding and interpreting social cues, the use of non-literal language, and nuanced expressions, making it harder to grasp the intended meaning in conversations. One example of this is the use of idioms.

An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning different from its literal interpretation. Idioms are commonly used in language and are often specific to a particular culture or region. They can be confusing for non-native speakers and also for autistic individuals as the true meaning may not be immediately apparent from the individual words used in the phrase.  Examples of idioms include phrases like "it's raining cats and dogs" (meaning heavy rain), "barking up the wrong tree" (meaning pursuing the wrong course of action), or "that was a piece of cake" (meaning it was very easy).

Since idioms are not meant to be taken literally, it can be like trying to decode a secret language. And while it might be a challenge, it's essential to remember that our autistic kids are incredible in so many ways, and this is just one aspect of their unique journey.

To help autistic children learn more about idioms, you can use apps to help your child learn about and practice with idioms. You can play games with your child to learn idioms or practice quizzing each other at the dinner table. Whenever you use an idiom around your child (intentionally or not), take the time to explain what the idiom means and challenge your child to use it in a future conversation.

Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine has created a printable resource to help our autistic children learn some commonly used idioms. These printables can help our little language learners tackle idioms in a fun and engaging way! We've designed a matching game that will get our kids laughing and learning at the same time. It's a perfect way to introduce them to the wacky world of idioms without any pressure or stress. There is also a printable sheet filled with common idioms that we can stick right on our fridge. It's like a mini cheat sheet for the whole family! So, every time you use an idiom in everyday conversation, our little ones can glance at the sheet and slowly start making sense of these quirky expressions.

Access the printable resource in our article directory by clicking here.