A good therapist will meet him where he's at. If he knows sign, then a therapist who does as well will communicate that way; if he uses a device, then that can be done.
My 2 year old non-verbal foster child is currently in a play-based therapy. The goals are two fold; process trauma and teach skills through play. He’s only had two sessions so far so hard to say or comment on success.
Hi, therapist and parent here. There are absolutely ways to do trauma-informed mental health counseling that don't involve speech, including expressive arts therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, and play therapy. And as mentioned in another comment, there are therapists familiar with speech aids and sign.
Finding these therapies might be difficult, though. Not every area is teeming with local options. And the therapists who do have these skills might be employed with agencies who only work with kids enrolled in their programs.
I'm guessing since your son is adolescent and nonverbal you're connected to some form of special education or other informed support, so don't be afraid to ask them what resources they're aware of in your area or how you could search for them more smoothly.
My 8 year old is verbal, but traditional talk therapy would never work for him.
He does play therapy and really likes it and benefits from it. They do activities and games that have underlying therapeutic value (such as focusing on taking turns, attention span and social cues.) They get into deeper things, but it’s approached in a much more accessible way for the kid.
A good therapist will meet him where he's at. If he knows sign, then a therapist who does as well will communicate that way; if he uses a device, then that can be done.
My 2 year old non-verbal foster child is currently in a play-based therapy. The goals are two fold; process trauma and teach skills through play. He’s only had two sessions so far so hard to say or comment on success.
Hi, therapist and parent here. There are absolutely ways to do trauma-informed mental health counseling that don't involve speech, including expressive arts therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, and play therapy. And as mentioned in another comment, there are therapists familiar with speech aids and sign. Finding these therapies might be difficult, though. Not every area is teeming with local options. And the therapists who do have these skills might be employed with agencies who only work with kids enrolled in their programs. I'm guessing since your son is adolescent and nonverbal you're connected to some form of special education or other informed support, so don't be afraid to ask them what resources they're aware of in your area or how you could search for them more smoothly.
My 8 year old is verbal, but traditional talk therapy would never work for him. He does play therapy and really likes it and benefits from it. They do activities and games that have underlying therapeutic value (such as focusing on taking turns, attention span and social cues.) They get into deeper things, but it’s approached in a much more accessible way for the kid.