Today I am launching: My Choice. My Control. My Communication Method.
- Patch
- Sep 6
- 3 min read
A call for change to the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) currently under review and the South Australian Disability Inclusion Act 2018
Spelled by: Patrick Saunders, 16-year-old Autistic Nonspeaker, with Apraxia and Developmental Coordination Disorder.
Can you imagine never being able to talk?
Can you imagine years of therapy and still not being able to communicate?
And people answering everything on your behalf and never getting your needs and wants met.
That was my life until I was taught by my dad how to motor plan and point at letters on a letterboard to spell to communicate.
Now imagine my school rejecting my form of communication because they said it wasn't evidence-based.
They were wrong, so wrong because it is evidence-based.
I am proof that it is evidence based, and it works. The work of Dr Vikram Jaswal from the University of Virginia and Speech Therapist Elizabeth Vosseller from the International Association of Spelling to Communicate is also evidence that my form of communication is successful in helping Autistic nonspeakers.
I travelled to Virginia in the United States of America in 2024 and again this year for a conference for nonspeakers and their allies and saw real life evidence - with people like me.
181 Autistic non-speakers, 600 people in total attended Motormorphosis and it was incredible. It was amazing. It was life changing.
Imagine a room full of people that included, accommodated and presumed that you were competent.
I am smart.
I am funny.
I am human.
What would my life be like if my parents continued to do a communication therapy which wasn't helping the majority of the 30 plus million nonspeaking autistic people to thrive in the world?
Never communicating using your preferred method or using a method that works to help you thrive is the reality for most nonspeakers.
Autistic children who are non-speaking continue to be denied communication rights.
Communication methods that could work for them.
I propose a change and welcome your opinion to give me the evidence. Where is the research for successful communication for nonspeakers in this country?
How many nonspeakers can really communicate all their thoughts, dreams and needs and wants using the education methods currently taught in schools?
Am I unbelievable? Not really, just a person who has worked really hard and been supported.
Every individual and their family should have the right to choose the communication method that works for their individual unique circumstances and receive the support to make it happen.
I have searched the Disability Discrimination Act (1992), the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) currently under review and the South Australian Disability Inclusion Act 2018 and it doesn't appear that they have a statement about the communication rights of people with a disability that has meaning, and certainly not one which helps nonspeakers thrive.
Earlier this year in New York, the state assembly unanimously passed this short, profound bill developed by Autistic nonspeaker Elizabeth Bonker. It reads.
"In order to ensure that each person with a disability is able to lead a life of dignity, all persons with a disability shall have the right to communicate in their preferred manner and utilize any communication supports that meet their needs."
My proposal is that Disability Discrimination Act (1992) currently under review and the South Australian Disability Inclusion Act 2018 reflect a change similar to that of the profound, life changing bill in New York State.
This is a call to action to the federal and South Australian state government and an offer. I would like to work with you to help create this change.
Together we can ensure that people with complex communication needs have access rights and support using their preferred manner in South Australia and Australia.
Today I am launching: My Choice. My Control. My Communication Method.
Imagine the difference we can make together.
I hope you can consider this and contact me in writing.
(This message has been lodged to the DDA (1992) currently under review, and various SA State and Federal Ministers)
Patrick Saunders
Autistic Nonspeaker, Disability Advocate & Consultant
Patrick we need more voices like yours. We need to open people's minds and hearts. It is not an easy journey but you can make a difference and you have many allies out there ready to help spread the word in whatever way you choose to communicate it! Best wishes Partick. I hear you.