The Power of Presuming Competence: A Nonspeaker’s Call to Action

• By: Jace Pooley Nonspeaking Autistic Self-Advocate
• July 9th, 2026
• alternative communication, autism advocacy, communication access, letterboards, motor planning, nonspeaking, presuming competence, self-advocates, Summer 2026 Issue
• 5    0

I stop and think about what I went through as a young child all the time. On a scale of 0 to 10, so many of the therapies that overtook my life would get a negative number! It wasn't that the therapists were bad people; it was because the initial premise of the treatments was fatally flawed. How? I...

“All Done Talkin’ ‘Bout It:” One Mom’s Journey to Communicating With Her Autistic Daughter

• By: Amy Kelly, MBA, MNM Devereux
• July 9th, 2026
• alternative communication, autism, autism services, communication, family support, nonverbal autism, PECS, Summer 2026 Issue, verbal apraxia
• 5    0

I vividly remember when Annie was diagnosed with autism on Jan. 8, 2004, the day before her second birthday. I had no idea what autism was, other than how it was depicted in the movie “Rain Man,” starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. I felt shocked, worried and alone. I didn't know any other...