This article talked about how our language has changed recently because of the internet. The purpose of texting is to send short, efficient messages, so our language has reflected that. We now use more acronyms and speak informally when we are talking to people online. An example of how language has changed is our use of periods. Since we speak less formally, we don't use periods as often. So now, when we receive messages that come with periods we interpret them as passive-aggressive. This can be problematic because the age people joined the internet plays a big role in how we interpret messages online. So there is often lots of miscommunication between people of different ages because we interpret language differently.
A mom to a child with autism wrote a children's book to demonstrate how her non-verbal son is able to communicate despite being unable to speak. Although many people with severe autism aren't able to verbally communicate, they are still able to communicate their thoughts through gestures, body language, and tablets. Tablets have become a voice for people with autism and allows them to show others that they are able to comprehend more than people realize. People with autism, especially children, face constant judgment and bullying. The hope is that this book will normalize and expose children to other children with autism.
The island of Vanuatu is currently at risk of sea level rise due to climate change. If it continues to progress the way it has been, people will need to leave the island. The issue is that there are 110 languages spoken in Vanuatu. Because of this, people are worried that once people are displaced in multiple different countries, their languages will be lost forever.
This article discusses how communication disorders cause social isolation and low self-esteem, especially in children. Social interaction is essential for psychological development and plays a massive role in a child's confidence and self-image. They talk about how crucial it is that we eliminate social stigmas surrounding communication disorders in order to live in a more inclusive society.