Communication

An image for Nick Barry, nonspeaker who uses rapid prompting method or rpm to communicate. A person is looking at a screen and behind them are a ton of eyes staring at the screen. The image depicts how a nonspeaker autistic with autism is often denied access to privacy and autonomy.

The Right to Privacy for Nonspeaking Autistics

Nick Barry, a young nonspeaking advocate, writes about how the privacy and autonomy of nonspeakers is often violated by those around them, how it feels, and how to do better.

Poetry: Letter by Letter

Nonspeaking youth Rumi Ottus spells out a striking poem about the life unlocked by having access to communicate via letterboard.

Autism and Religion: A silent anxiety

As a nonspeaker, Trevor Byrd internalized the religious dogma he heard his whole life in silent dedication. As he got older, his values conflicted with his rigid observance of Catholic canon. The support he received from his mom helped him to keep his faith and be true to his values.

The Autistics’ Question

Tejas Rao Sankar challenges schools and society to invest in the autonomy of autistic people and not to deny nonspeakers the right to participate in the IEP process.

an RPM rapid prompting method letterboard stencil is in a tree with sunlight shining through the letters. Photo credit by autistic advocate matthew rushin.

Tiny Typing Kids: A letter to young nonspeakers

Trevor Byrd is a teen nonspeaker who gained access to communication when he enrolled at Reach Every Voice. After seeing a young girl spelling on a letterboard, he wrote this letter to all the young spellers.

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