Communication Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome: Do we speak the same language?

by Olga Bogdashina

Providing a theoretical foundation for understanding communication and language impairments specific to autism, Olga Bogdashina explores the effects of different perceptual and cognitive styles on the communication and language development of autistic children. She stresses the importance of identifying each autistic individual's nonverbal language - which can be visual, tactile, kinaesthetic, auditory, olfactory or gustatory - with a view to establish a shared means of verbal communication. She offers an explanation of why certain approaches, for example PECS, might work with some autistic children but not others. Offering real insights, the 'What They Say' sections enable the reader to see through the eyes of autistic individuals and to understand their language differences first hand.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Psychology, Nonfiction, Communication, Language

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Rosemary]

This book stands out from the pack for its range of insights from people with autism. It is more in-depth than "Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism" by Barry Prizant, a lighter book in a similar vein.

Each chapter has one or more "What they say" sections, with quotes from books written by adults with autism containing such gems as "If I know that I do not understand people and I devote all this energy and effort to figuring them out, do I have more or less empathy than people who not only do not understand me, but who do not even notice that they do not understand me? (Sinclair 1989)" (p.191, with regard to Theory of Mind).

[Alex]

Fantastic read. I highly recommend it if you're autistic and curious about the workings of your own brain, interact with an autistic person, or are just curious.

[Sam Peeters]

I approached Communication Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome by Olga Bogdashina with high expectations, given her reputation as an author and the reputation of this book as a foundational text within autism studies. Reading it from my perspective as an autistic person, with lived experience and nuanced understanding of autism, I think the book is both informative and, at times, somewhat limited in scope.

Bogdashina offers a structured exploration of communication differences in autistic individuals, emphasizing sensory perception, language processing, and nonverbal expression. I appreciated her effort to move beyond purely deficit-based interpretations, especially when she highlights how autistic communication may follow a different internal logic rather than being inherently “impaired.” This aligns with contemporary thinking on the matter, even if the terminology occasionally feels dated.

However, the book leans heavily on theoretical explanations and case descriptions without sufficiently integrating first-person autistic voices. From my perspective, this creates a noticeable gap. Understanding communication in autism cannot be complete without centering those who live it daily. While Bogdashina attempts to interpret autistic experience, the absence of direct narratives limits the depth and authenticity of her analysis.

Additionally, some sections feel repetitive and overly technical, which may challenge readers seeking practical insights. As someone engaged in translating complex autism research into accessible content, I found myself wishing for clearer applications and more concrete examples that bridge theory and lived reality.

That said, the book remains a useful entry point for professionals and educators who are beginning to explore communication differences in autism. It provides a conceptual framework that, while not fully aligned with current neurodiversity discourse, still contributes to a broader understanding.

Overall, this book is a valuable but imperfect resource—informative, yet in need of stronger inclusion of autistic perspectives and more contemporary framing.