Natasha: She always says misbehavior (acting out or in) is communicating (bio, psycho, or social) unmet needs. We need to ask with curiosity instead of assuming intent.
@thinkingautism.com
@thinkingautism.comNatasha: She always says misbehavior (acting out or in) is communicating (bio, psycho, or social) unmet needs. We need to ask with curiosity instead of assuming intent.
@thinkingautism.comJennifer, who is a white teacher in Baltimore, said that when kids were having issues, her training was usually that kids of color had emotional issues, not disabilities.
Natasha says we need to stop assuming that parents aren't invested in their kids' success.
@thinkingautism.comBrittany, who is a Black autistic woman, says that even though she was the good kid who excelled at everything; she always got in trouble for asking too many questions.
@thinkingautism.comAudience member: Adult person diagnosed two months ago. Part of the problem is that autistic people can be such rule followers, they are the "good" kids. Natasha says she was such a rule follower that she was put with the "bad" kids to help them regulate.
@thinkingautism.comWe're going to have a little bit of fun, says Natasha. She is going to ask questions. Her slide is Triple Jeopardy Syndrome, which describes the discrimination disabled Black women face. Audience member Brittany says she was stereotypically autistic and yet she got missed most of her life.
@thinkingautism.comNow at Stanford Neurodiversity Summit: Natasha Nelson @supernovaparenting.org's keynote: Strengths in Connections: Reimagining Autism Research with the Black Communication at the Center. Her Intersectionalities: She is a Black, Autistic, Woman, raised in poverty. She is all those things.
@jmaslak.bsky.social#sns2026 - belonging is key goal audience selected about neurodiversity inclusive education. This is exactly what is most important: that kids survive education (I am talking literally - suicide rates of neurodivergent kids is way too high, and is the result of bullying, exclusion, and loneliness).
@ieidle.bsky.socialHaving a good time so far at #SNS2026. It's been particularly mind blowing to meet several people I've known on the internet for many years. First day was a mixed bag, second day was much better. Ready to finish strong today.
@thinkingautism.comYou can't be understood if the burden of translation is only on one person. Janet learned that sometimes working on projects together could be a communication bridge. @janetkl.bsky.social Janet Lawson, at the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit.
@thinkingautism.comDr. Jaswal: People who are nonspeaking and effective communicators, are often put into a position where they are expected to engage in advocacy. This should not be mandated, it should be a choice.
@thinkingautism.comDr. Jaswal is not a clinician, but he does know from other clinicians about people who have developed spontaneous speech. But he can't comment on it from a position of personal expertise.
@thinkingautism.comNow audience Qs for Dr. Jaswal: Task initiation is a common IEP goal. Should it be one? Or is it not ND-affirming?
Dr. Jaswal: It depends on what the person wants to work on! If they want to work on task initiation, sure.
@thinkingautism.comNote: This is not about autistic people "overcoming" anything. No one got "fixed." It is about innovating communication options, so people can get the supports they need.
@thinkingautism.comWe need to treat a negative result with communication options as a starting point, an opportunity to know more.
Also, per one non speaker, "When I type independently, it feels like free falling. When I having someone hold the keyboard, it's like having a parachute."
@thinkingautism.comThe TYPE prototype is still in development, hope to launch it in 2027.
The challenge with learning to type is not just the motor issue, it is the performance limitations of the distraction happening all around them. This prevents typing skills from developing.
@thinkingautism.comCommunication happens best when communicators feel regulated and connected.
One TYPE adaption was to use a gaming keyboard with keys that could light up.
@thinkingautism.comThe TYPE technology is still in development, and important to know the nonspeakers were involved in the design from the beginning. They wanted a more flexible system than standard typing programs, to account for focused attention lapses, competing distractions, anxiety, impulsiveness etc.
@thinkingautism.comMany letterboard users are interested in transitioning to a keyboard, but it can be difficult & is not possible for everyone. It does happen tho. There is a project called TYPE (Train Yourself Practice Everyday) that Dr. Jaswal is collaborating on, to support aspiring nonspeaking typers.
@thinkingautism.comDr. Jaswal is now showning a video that overlays a speller's eye tracking on a letterboard before pointing at letters; it's very clear that the speller is choosing the letters on their own. Also, speed and accuracy testing showed similar results.
These data are inconsistent with "cuing."
@thinkingautism.comAddressing the elephant in the room: People ask: What if the supporter is influencing the speller or moving the letterboard to get them to choose the "right' letter?
Well, just because it could happen doesn't mean we should dismiss the legitimate communication of nonspeakers.