Naturally Speaking San Francisco

05/15/2026

❤️

Elizabeth Bonker, a non-speaking autistic student at Rollins College, delivered the commencement speech for the graduating class of 2022 using AAC technology.

Elizabeth communicates by typing with the support of a text-to-speech device and was selected by her fellow valedictorians to address the graduating class. During the speech, she spoke about service, communication, and the importance of recognising value in every person.

She told the audience:
“God gave you a voice. Use it.”

Elizabeth has said that learning to type transformed her ability to communicate and access education. She now advocates for greater communication access for non-speaking autistic people through her nonprofit organization, Communication 4 ALL.

For many people watching online, the moment was a powerful reminder that communication does not always look the same.

📰 Source: Rollins College / NPR / ABC News

05/14/2026

❤️🤗🥰

05/08/2026

Well said Barry!

Study after study has called facilitated communication into question.

05/01/2026

We could not be more proud of our work with the Friends organization! ❤️ Happy Better Speech and Hearing month🤗

04/29/2026

School based SLPs!!

The CSHA Schools Committee is excited to host Kyle Epps, SLP and Administrator from LAUSD, for an exciting discussion titled, "It's Not Just the Number: Caseload, Workload, and What You Can Do About It." This event is free for CSHA members and only $15 for non-members.

This session is designed for school-based speech-language pathologists seeking a clearer, more practical understanding of caseload and workload reform. Participants will explore the differences between caseload caps, weighted caseload models, and comprehensive workload approaches, with an emphasis on how these frameworks affect day-to-day practice, service delivery, and sustainability. Drawing on research, field experience, and current advocacy efforts, the session will explain why caseload caps alone are an insufficient measure of SLP workload and why a workload analysis approach may be recommended instead. The discussion will focus on realistic strategies that have shown impact in schools, including contract language, staffing structures, and collective advocacy, to help SLPs better navigate and influence systems that shape their work.

04/23/2026

https://uniquelyhuman.com/2026/04/10/issues-future-autism-neurodiversity-sj-childs/

Barry Prizant is highly regarded in our field! He has been working with the autistic community for decades. Don’t miss his Podcast series! This is the latest episode.

“A little bit of knowledge turns fear into understanding” according to Sarah Bradford a.k.a. Author SJ Childs

03/16/2026

CSHA 2026 was one for the books!🤗❤️🥰 It was an honor to be surrounded by women and men that inspire me and I loved presenting about the Friends One Day in the Bay, Stuttering therapy and supporting SLPs in the Schools!!

02/20/2026

Impressive.Time for CA to step up!

01/23/2026

This is exciting!!

New season. NEW NIGHT. 📺 American Idol is now EVERY MONDAY! Watch inspiring auditions like Jesse Findling in the season premiere Monday 8/7c on ABC and Stre...

01/14/2026

We cannot agree more!! Thank you Barry Prizant.

At least one third of autistic people have limited or no speech. Most nonspeaking autistic people are never provided alternatives that would enable the full range of expression that speech allows, si...