Communication

Arresting Ableism; Insight and Experiences of a Nonspeaking Autistic

“People fail disabled folk when they refuse to accept all ways of being human. In a more perfect world agency would be respected, disability rights honored, and brave hearts exalted. I and others have wisdom for a deprived and hostile world. Skilled allies wanted.”

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.

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