Moving Beyond Behavior: A New Vision for Autism

Why Understanding Movement May Hold the Key to Connection, Communication, and Human Dignity

Rethinking Autism: Beyond Behavior

In 2020, large-scale research by the Simons Foundation found that 87% of children with ASD have significant movement issues. Mindblown, the Foundation followed up with another study just a year later, showing a direct link between the severity of movement challenges and the overall seriousness of the condition labeled Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

These findings suggest that movement problems play a larger role in autism than previously thought—both in understanding the condition and in designing effective treatments.

For years, ASD has been defined by challenges in behavior, communication, and social interaction. Movement difficulties are typically seen as merely accompanying symptoms and are largely overlooked. Based on these prevailing beliefs, we continue to witness the widespread implementation of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as the primary treatment for these individuals—with all its consequences. Unfortunately, most parents and professionals observe only limited outcomes in what we consider organic learning and development, while the importance of connecting with children with autism via movement in a respectful and human-centered way is often shockingly absent.

What Is Movement, Really?

To better understand the impact of movement disorganization—movement in its cruder forms, and possibly missing movement in some areas—we need to define what movement represents. Movement is the act or process of change from A to B.

A human being is a complex, interconnected, dynamic system. This interconnectedness suggests that none of its parts or dimensions can exist in isolation. Human movement encompasses any act of change within ourselves and in interaction with our environment—such as a racing heartbeat under the blazing sun, feeling thirst, reaching for a cup of water, or saying, "Mom, water!"

As poet Ai Qing once said, "Without movement, there is no life."

In this holistic sense, movement includes the physical, emotional, and cognitive aspects of being.

A New Approach: ABM® NeuroMovement®

With a redefined understanding of ASD, our attention is now drawn to more effective methods to support these individuals.

ABM® NeuroMovement®, founded by Anat Baniel, is a revolutionary movement-based method that has been dramatically transforming the lives of thousands of children with ASD for over 35 years. Supported by growing scientific data in the field of brain plasticity and endorsed by world-renowned neuroscientists such as Michael Merzenich, or Jill Bolte Taylor, PhD, a neuroscientist and Ted Talk Presenter, the practical ABM®NM® approach is gaining increasing recognition. Both the public and professionals are slowly opening the door to understanding autism in a more nuanced and novel way.

In NeuroMovement®, a sense of connection and unity between two individuals—the practitioner and the recipient—leads to the emergence of new insights for the recipient across all dimensions of movement. The shared experience of movement within this mutual space becomes a journey of exploration and personal discovery. 

Outcomes with NeuroMovement® can vary, but a commonly observed effect—particularly in children with ASD—is a newfound sense of genuine happiness and joy. This often stems from a deeper connection to oneself and a profoundly improved self-image in space, along with heightened awareness of the surrounding environment. Where this learning can take the child is limitless and unpredictable. Hearing a child’s first words or noticing further speech development during or shortly after a session with a NeuroMovement® practitioner is not uncommon.

Spelling to Communicate (S2C): Uncovering Intelligence Through Motor Support?

Spelling to Communicate (S2C), an alternative method developed by Elizabeth Vosseller, specifically addresses communication needs in mainly non-speaking individuals with autism through what appears to be a relatively linear approach.

The S2C is a training method, which involves using a letterboard or keyboard to indicate letters in order to spell out words. The key idea is that these individuals are intelligent but face motor challenges that prevent effective communication.

The core principle of presuming intelligence in all individuals with ASD aligns with the philosophy of ABM® NeuroMovement®. However, a more nuanced understanding of movement impairments—of which motor challenges are just one aspect—raises further questions about the how of implementation to more effectively support the distinct needs of individuals with ASD.
 

Real Stories

Partially inspired by J.B. Handley’s book Underestimated: An Autism Miracle, Spellers (2021), a father’s memoir about life with his son on the autism spectrum, the movie Spellers (2023) explores the lives of eight non-speaking individuals with autism who have found their voices through S2C. Viewers were astonished at the level of sophistication and intelligence demonstrated by these young autistic individuals as their potential was unlocked through the power to spell.

Further challenging prevailing assumptions about cognitive disabilities in individuals with ASD—and emphasizing body disconnect as an underlying cause for communication challenges—a well-known documentary filmmaker Ky Dickens stepped forward and launched a podcast called The Telepathy Tapes – A Podcast Beyond Words in April 2024. Ky conducted initial “proof-of-concept” tests with a small film crew in the homes of non-speaking individuals and their families using S2C. These sessions aimed to assess the viability of a documentary and explore claims of telepathic communication. The series not only validates the premise that autistic individuals are cognitively highly competent, but it takes it a step further. The Tapes have become a viral sensation as more families come forward to share their fascinating stories of discovery amidst societal challenges.

Final Thoughts

To this day—six years later—a globally recognized shift in understanding autism and serving autistic individuals has yet to come. Nevertheless, there are immensely promising efforts underway to uncover the root causes of ASD. Once that happens, it will become possible to adequately target and implement effective holistic medical treatments. There is great hope that by shedding more light on the movement-related challenges inherent in the condition, and by further exploring proven ways to help individuals with ASD connect and/or reconnect with their bodies, a universal recognition will eventually be celebrated.

By embracing these newer discoveries, the untapped potential of non-speaking autistic individuals can finally be illuminated.

©2025 Linda Tazberikova