Presuming Competence:
Rethinking What We See In Nonspeaking Individuals
An information night for parents, educators, and support professionals
Zoom Information Night Details
Date: Tuesday, September 29th
Time: 7:00 - 7:30 PM (Q & A after)
Cost: Free
Length: 30 minutes
This information night is designed for individuals who want to better understand communication beyond speech and learn more about presuming competence and motor-based communication challenges.
Who This Information Night Is For
This session is for:
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Parents and caregivers of nonspeaking, minimally speaking, or unreliably speaking individuals
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Educators, educational assistants, and school support staff
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Therapists and professionals supporting individuals with complex communication needs
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Anyone interested in learning more about Spelling to Communicate (S2C) and presuming competence
No prior knowledge of S2C is required.
Why Presuming Competence Matters
Presuming competence means approaching every individual with the belief that they are capable of understanding, thinking, and learning, even when they cannot demonstrate this through speech or behaviour.
This information night introduces a framework for understanding communication through a motor-based lens, offering an alternative to behaviour-only interpretations and opening the door to more respectful and effective support.
What You Will Learn
Participants will leave with:
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A clearer understanding of motor planning and motor-based communication challenges
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Insight into why speech is not the same as comprehension
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An introduction to Spelling to Communicate (S2C)
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A better understanding of letterboards, an alternative communication
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A new way of interpreting behaviour
This session is informational and educational in nature and is meant to build understanding, not overwhelm.
About the Presenter
Bonita Harman is the founder of Letter Speak Services, supporting individuals with complex communication needs using a motor-based, presuming competence approach. Her work focuses on expanding access to communication, supporting respectful communication partnerships, and helping families and professionals better understand communication beyond speech.