Thank you Lourdes Santos, Cristina Toro, Victoria Munoz, Clara Uribe, Juanita Colombani, and our entire translation team. Because of you, Hispanic nonspeakers around the world can learn to type to communicate with more ease.

After the presentation, Elizabeth answered questions from the audience, and was delighted to hear numerous Occupational Therapists affirm her message that nonspeakers have a motor disorder, not a cognitive one. With motor support from OTs, the future is bright for nonspeakers! -C4A team

We are grateful to FOTA President, Dr. Antonette Fernandez, for her invitation, and to American Occupational Therapy Association Vice President Dr. Cristina Reyes Smith’s keen interest in our mission.

Elizabeth gave a 45-minute keynote and then did a one hour question and answer session. Questions ranged from how to use C4A Academy to understanding whole body dyspraxia to how to be a good communication to which Elizabeth answered, “BELIEVE IN THEM.”

🔠 Occupational Therapists, you have an incredible opportunity to teach nonspeakers in your practice to type to communicate, transforming their lives. As always, anyone can use our typing resource, C4A Academy (https://communication4all.org/c4a-academy/), any time, free of charge.

Elizabeth's presentation "Rethinking Autism: Empowering Nonspeakers with Communication" will be this Saturday, 11/1 from 1-2pm. The @FLOTAssn conference is at Florida International University, Ernest R. Graham Center, 10955 SW 15th Terrace, Miami, FL 33199.

Alt text 5: Elizabeth is a member of @AutismSociety Council of Advisors and @AutismFlorida Board.

Alt text 4: Elizabeth's advocacy work includes a 2011 book, I Am in Here, and a 2022 music album She gives keynotes around the world and her story is featured in the documentaries SPELLERS and Understanding Autism.

Alt text 3: Elizabeth is a 2022 Rollins College graduate, and her valedictorian commencement address went viral with 4 billion impressions propelling her mission onto a global stage.

Alt text 2: Elizabeth Bonker is the Executive Director of Communication 4 ALL, a nonprofit with the mission to ensure nonspeakers with autism have access to communication and education.

Alt text: FOTA Florida Occupational Therapy Association
SPOTLIGHT SESSION
Rethinking Autism: Empowering Nonspeakers with Communication
ELIZABETH BONKER
SATURDAY, NOV 1, 2025, 1:00 PM
INFO@FLOTA.ORG
WWW.FLOTA.ORG/CONFERENCE

As an OT, you have an incredible opportunity to teach nonspeakers to type to communicate and transform their lives. Elizabeth will tell you all about why and how to do so, including our free typing resource, C4A Academy. Please join us in advancing the C4A mission this weekend!

The North Georgia Autism Conference, hosted by Anna Shaw Children's Institute, is intended for parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals, Autistic adults, self-advocates, and more.

For questions, contact Lindsey Coker at NGAC@hhcs.org or 706-226-8928.

As always, you can teach your nonspeaker to type to communicate free of charge with C4A Academy:

Annette closes the conversation by emphasizing that we must continue to advocate for nonspeakers not just on this day, but every day, because although a lot has happened in the last few years, there is so much more to be done. We couldn't agree more!

During the interview, Elizabeth recalls her experiences learning to type and being mainstreamed in school, despite countless obstacles. She also discusses many of C4A's initiatives, such as C4A Academy, Regulation 4 ALL, C4A Schools, and C4A Network.