Elizabeth Bonker, Advocate for Non-speakers

EPISODE 86
A Conversation with Elizabeth Bonker,
a University Valedictorian and a Dedicated Advocate for Non-speakers

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Show Notes

An understanding of the experiences of non-speakers, or those with minimal speech, is an essential part of the neurodiversity movement. With the appropriate supports, including AAC technology, non-speakers who were silent for years, are now capable of sharing their experiences and their feelings about being misunderstood and too often mistreated. Elizabeth Bonker, a non-speaking autistic woman, discusses her journey and her commitment to educating society and supporting the millions of neurodivergent non-speaking individuals, so many of whom have so much potential to contribute to an inclusive, humane society when provided with effective means to communicate.

Note from the hosts:
Questions were submitted to Elizabeth ahead of time due to the length of time it takes to formulate and type responses. This is a common procedure when non speakers are asked to respond to interview questions, or are on panels and giving presentations at conferences.

Learn more on www.communication4all.org

Read her Book: I Am Here

Listen to her Album: I Am Here

Featuring

Elizabeth Bonker

ELIZABETH BONKER

Elizabeth Bonker is the Executive Director of Communication 4 ALL, a nonprofit with the mission to gain communication for the more than 30 million nonspeakers with autism worldwide. Elizabeth learned to type on a letterboard at age five and later, on a keyboard. Her decade of advocacy work includes a book, I Am in Here; TEDMED Talk; and music album. In May 2022, Elizabeth’s valedictorian commencement address at Rollins College went viral with more than 4 billion media impressions propelling her mission onto a global stage. She has been invited to give keynote addresses at Disability and Neurodiversity conferences around the world, including Europe and Asia. Elizabeth is a member of Autism Society’s Council of Advisors and Justice Center Task Force.

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…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1) What does Elizabeth believe is most important for the public and disability community to know about her journey in childhood and school experiences before communicating through AAC?  What does she say it was like not being able to share her thoughts and feelings before she learned to communicate through AAC?  Can you relate her experiences to a person you know, or to yourself?

2) How has Elizabeth’s life changed since learning to communicate through spelling and other forms of AAC?  If you know of similar experiences with your child, a person you know, or yourself, please share the story with your group?

3) What does Elizabeth believe are the biggest misconceptions/misunderstandings about non-speaking individuals?  What does she share about the neuromotor conditions that make speech production difficult for her?

4) What suggestions does Elizabeth share for working with and supporting non-speakers that you can apply if you work or live with non-speakers, or those with minimal speech?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.