
Reach Every Voice is a team of educators with decades of experience providing AAC instruction for nonspeaking and partially speaking autistic learners in Maryland. We offer one-on-one communication instruction, adapted grade-level curriculum, communication partner training, professional development for educators, and school consultation. Our practices draw from multiple evidence-based strategies, centered on a text-based, multimodal AAC approach that meets each learner where they are
Some communication approaches prescribe a rigid, step-by-step recipe for using their tools and instructional methods. At Reach Every Voice, we take a different path. Our practices are informed by multiple evidence-based strategies, drawing from a variety of sources to meet each learner where they are.
We know every student is unique — and most communicate in multiple and varied ways. That’s why our instruction centers on a text-based, multimodal AAC approach, empowering learners to express themselves authentically, confidently, and effectively.
Rooted Here. Reaching Further.
REV AccessAbility is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has supported text-based multimodal communication since 2017.
We strive to provide access to more training, coaching, and practice opportunities and to work to make these more affordable for all stakeholders.


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!["Dear Teachers,
I'm going to ask all teachers to listen more to the words shared by autistic people themselves than by the behavior "experts" in big name hospitals and private schools. As someone who only barely survived these systems, I think my experiences should matter to both teachers and parents. I'm someone who always requires lots of support, but I deserve to decide what that support looks like. Independence is not always the highest good: autonomy always is."
Trevor Byrd
REV Student
[id: a gray background with bold white letters reading "Dear Teachers" above a cutout of Trevor, a young person with short red hair and a red beard. Trevor is wearing red ear defenders and a gray hoodie over a blue shirt. They are holding their letterboard. Trevor's words are printed in white next to them. The words "listen to all voices" and the reach every voice website are at the top of the image]
#PresumeCompetence #InclusiveEducation #ReachEveryVoice #RethinkAutism #CommunicationAccess #Autonomy](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/496314226_1272338038228474_6328100360450929837_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=Hxo453TMSIgQ7kNvwGNgZET&_nc_oc=AdqRDfkymcBmWEpci8GG9CLQewQShtbdCdoD0XX01ECJIGsSu67CcXR1BIF0zUL7I9A&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=o3Vcp0vjFz7BY57cTIe3aQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQGsITPT5dqDn2a2Qt2SlnwXHfyUUClZ79XSGwgf1jXl9L7IV3A2BmG_1u5MCjUCPw7_AY_DvsL4&oh=00_Af1DajSvnhvLkVsc_nn65U2ePCSy6kliI6mASU0mlSxvMA&oe=69F12C73)

![What a difference it makes in our mindset and our teaching when we presume competence in our students and embrace the understanding that what may look like "bad behavior" is quite possibly the response of a brain-body disconnect.
Our student Ethan Statter wrote these words to share about his experience of disconnection and struggle between his brain and body.
Hero or Villain
Oftentimes in life, people experience feeling like a villain and a hero. This is something I feel quite often. I am a villain to myself, when I can’t control my body.
The brain body disconnect I feel is real. It’s hard to describe.
Imagine an angel and a devil. The angel is my brain telling me everything I want and need to do. The devil is my body losing control and taking over.
Imagine what this daily battle feels like, when you know right from wrong.
My brain is the hardest working part of my entire being. I gear up for the war against my body each day, wondering if they will ever agree.
The angel has to win.
I have to love my body but how can I when it’s in a constant battle against me. Who am I? Am I my brain or my body? I’m tired of being torn in two.
I need to give myself grace. The grace to succeed and permission to love myself, even in moments of weakness.
Notes from Ethan: I was inspired to write this poem when my brain and body were not cooperating with one another. The challenges nonspeaking autistic humans face can be tough. At times our bodies don't match our thoughts. Hence the devil and angel comparison. The brain body disconnect is something I write about frequently because it is misunderstood. I know the others in this community can relate. We have to stick together.
[id: a photograph of Ethan sitting with his arms and legs crossed, chin resting on his hands. He is gazing toward the ground. Some words from Ethan's portion of the caption are printed on the photo in white text with teal accents.]
#BrainBodyDisconnect #PresumeCompetence #apraxia #dyspraxia #autism #NonspeakingDoesNotEqualNonthinking #spellers #ReachEveryVoice](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/495298353_1272299138232364_5601879703252429455_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=TM77UgCrPVwQ7kNvwHfjByQ&_nc_oc=AdoV9urASP7Wk7Kvb04IsuxHblMpXk7PH1HeuNi8b93OzXoRj6JbZ54aw_BE8MqKVNM&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=o3Vcp0vjFz7BY57cTIe3aQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQGQ3IhRuW1_4b7eYv2fCTc1CtXOWywuVxGc_irqowir9prvg09USjZ5f1RuwJnBPMT9m5yszh4J&oh=00_Af330eeMBrHcER0QLh7mkK8k4B6ptJCvXIxFEppDgS6nUw&oe=69F1275A)
![Rather than claiming to be a "voice for the voiceless" or speaking over nonspeaking advocates, let's take a moment to amplify the advocacy work being done by nonspeaking and minimally speaking autistic individuals who also have high support needs, people who may at one point or another in their lives have been referred to as "severely autistic" or "profoundly autistic."
Nick has spent years of focused effort building his communication skills and now works to be a loud advocate to share his lived experiences with a wider audience. In this series of Nick's Tips, he shares 5 ways to be respectful of nonspeaking people.
We hope you'll share with everyone!
Nick's Tips: advice from a nonspeaking autistic guy.
5 ways to be respectful of nonspeaking people
1: Forget everything you think you know about autism unless you learned it from an autistic person.
2: Remember that autistic people can look like they aren't listening but may actually hear everything you say. (Unless they tune you out because you're boring or insulting)
3: You don't need to talk louder. Or slower. Or as if I'm a baby.
4: Right the wrongs you might have done. Say you’re sorry to folks you underestimated.
5: Learn from as many autistic folks as humanly possible.
[id: 7 light teal slides that include the five tips shared above as well as a cover that reads, "Nick's Tips: advice from a nonspeaking autistic guy. 5 ways to be respectful of nonspeaking people" and a closing slide reminding folks to engage with this post to increase the reach of Nick's words.]
Hashtags used for visibility, not endorsement.
#Autism #ActuallyAutistic #Advocacy #NonspeakingAutism #NonSpeakingDoesNotEqualNonThinking #PresumeCompetence #NicksTips #ReachEveryVoice #ProfoundAutism #NonverbalAutism #SevereAutism](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/497882280_1280897240705887_3593038512636610697_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=rLJuEJq7ocwQ7kNvwFl-yCX&_nc_oc=AdoE6A_VuAB5L4a5a3IOSjcPa_PiXw1kkfAiPKir_Rgz0qgsvEoCgItT_tFxbu__KR0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=o3Vcp0vjFz7BY57cTIe3aQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQGm5c_YMrRCufxKpzJd36bCeUvRFzHbWdGJdY8gYLDQ3eyYvgDS9z7YsaQWG4SZf9dXxoof0CA5&oh=00_Af1XMMA8ABYiGGKx9L0Qg0L_WHfrnSAjqY7loLVeEmtNhA&oe=69F130E7)
![We're about 2/3 of the way through April, recognized widely as #AutismAwarenessMonth / #AutismAcceptanceMonth, and we want to take a minute to remind everyone that amplifying autistic voices and reconsidering the spaces we're creating should continue every day, every month.
Our student Ryan reflects on this month:
I want to acknowledge this month and how my ability as a non-speaker can teach others.
I am a human just like all of you. I have a beautiful incredible mind that is capable of so much.
I want to show the world how my brain works. Really trying to dig down deep and find the understanding myself.
I have learned to grow in a world where I am misunderstood. I am asking others to give me the same space and grow with me.
I want to live in a world where spelling or typing to communicate is the norm. I want it to be authentically accepted in every area of my life.
I want others to find the right communication partner to work with.
I want to build real relationships with others in this community.
I need to be seen and understood always, not just this month.
[id: a photo of Ryan on a beach with trees behind him. The sunlight is hitting his face as he looks pensively up toward the sky. His words, "I have learned to grow in a world where I am misunderstood. I am asking others to give me the same space and grow with me." are printed on the image to the left of his face in white letters with blue accents.]
#PresumeCompetence #AccessibleSpaces #ReachEveryVoice #ActuallyAutistic](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/496253502_1272192908242987_1223585672625543831_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=ZZDfDRoYwGAQ7kNvwHXYn2M&_nc_oc=AdquAxCGlzIoi6qYd0qL7C2i6fX0cI63pv6m69TNOAaWftu89l8oLu94ftb-Rt0EQdI&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=o3Vcp0vjFz7BY57cTIe3aQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQG_Zj5V1OB_5j8d9imdcqiOSqY1VYIg38nP3bechvn4oZb-GlK7jlaeT3LsXnv-gvPrkQClAA7H&oh=00_Af0g0GJ30Fhj-fN8ndqi9sXT9xM5-LoErmVC_SkzrLc4kA&oe=69F11845)

![Ethan focuses on the idea of presuming competence in his "Dear Teachers" post.
He shares,
"Dear Teachers,
Talking at me and down to me isn't cool. I have working ears and a very smart brain. Trust in my abilities."
Ethan Tucker
REV Student
[id: a gray background with bold white letters reading "Dear Teachers" above a cutout of Ethan, a young man with short brown hair. The words "listen to all voices" and the reach every voice website are at the top of the image]
#PresumeCompetence #InclusiveEducation #ReachEveryVoice #RethinkAutism #CommunicationAccess](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/495506011_1272337601561851_819345127839428375_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=C42nBmHxXZoQ7kNvwEE17fa&_nc_oc=Adqw_0k1-pwew3uz1B9JtnXrd3rioHrhtdXJoW8pNFVkdDBBTLt4Toh-1UKM-HZzHJ0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=o3Vcp0vjFz7BY57cTIe3aQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQF8ygbJA-WjkQlJVhkrZSmJkWlNm8qYst1w1bQyuN9CjXPRhhV0mwpKhfRxddocw7sM2DUxTSgK&oh=00_Af3md-JL8jgXHHMbmL2_V6wRzy2VnloTZ2YmTvZ_6rx6Eg&oe=69F126C2)
![There have been a lot of questions / comments in different groups asking if text-based communication (spelling, pointing, typing) is really a good option if individuals use their natural speech in ways others perceive as “functional.”
Nick’s lived experience is crucial to understanding why we need to introduce AAC / other forms of communication to folks who may appear at first glance to have no need for assistive tech.
In a blog that includes the words in this post, Nick writes,
Have you ever had a word or song stuck in your head?
It isn’t that you want to look at a new car but you can’t stop singing the Cars 4 Kids jingle. You both don’t want a new credit card and don’t intend to change banks but you can’t stop hearing, “what’s in YOUR wallet?”
Chances are anyone who heard you humming or decrying the stuckness of the jingle just empathized with your frustration and continued to speak to you as usual.
This is not the case if you are autistic.
My brain and speech are stuck in a continuous loop of repeating scripts from cartoons I watched as a kid. I can’t stop my mouth. I’m scripting dumb Thomas the Tank words as I type this.
I am getting rather tired of people hearing my repeated scripts and assuming I don’t really understand.
The truth is I don’t care about trains but I had the bad luck of hearing these catchy shows when my brain was young and malleable.
My speech goes beyond what I think of as unreliable. To me it is reliably annoying.
Until I learned to type my thoughts the whole world believed my capacity to think and learn was far gone. Now that I can show otherwise my life is becoming more full.
My point is that my collection of sayings and songs has probably kept people from believing I am smart.
Until someone has a way to really communicate, take their scripts in stride and speak to them like they understand everything you say"
[id: a photo of Nick from behind, typing on a bluetooth keyboard hooked up to his iPad. Some of his words from the caption are shared on the post.]
#PresumeCompetence #NonspeakingDoesNotEqualNonthinking #spellers #ReachEveryVoice #RethinkAutism](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/494480826_1272196788242599_1260963573330083012_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=VF_QdeRQrf0Q7kNvwF0Eqiz&_nc_oc=AdpsbsyD8qRBEgg-9-_PzXCjG3gdlT1Fvd_Eqpc2S86hnnEchEcrhgwDsRfoXuRCUzM&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=o3Vcp0vjFz7BY57cTIe3aQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQG01xyGHLoisP3bW5LWuc4nTZ1nkpH1imd9g0YrEgwLbw2KO9dZOIrEcwejMrE6iECDMlTE0-NS&oh=00_Af3bfy1EMo5ExAqZzAGfKGCtuePh9y-as7Na0Nu1dgHQUQ&oe=69F11114)
![At Reach Every Voice:
We believe autistic people are valuable members of our community.
We believe autism is not an epidemic or a tragedy.
We believe every person deserves dignity, respect, and high expectations.
We believe communication, in every form, should be honored and supported.
We believe in listening to and amplifying autistic voices.
We believe diversity—including neurodiversity—makes our world stronger.
We believe families are enriched, not destroyed, by their autistic members.
We believe inclusion is a right, not a privilege.
We believe in celebrating strengths, not in seeking cures.
We believe the future is brighter when every voice is heard.
As we always do, we will be using our platform to amplify the voices of our nonspeaking autistic students, many of whom have high support needs and yet still thrive and shine in our community and their families.
In the coming days, please look for their thoughts on this topic in this space.
#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #Neurodiversity #ReachEveryVoice #TrueInclusion #InclusionIsNotABadWord
[id: a carousel of 10 slides sharing the 10 values statements shared above. They are printed on a charcoal gray background that looks like a piece of wrinkled cloth. The REV logo is at the top and the hashtag #PresumeCompetence is at the bottom.]](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/499370409_1278422760953335_3676449715517412874_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=WDmHd3HPZ60Q7kNvwGoLBvN&_nc_oc=AdpDhl5-d9e_djl2jv9f26e1cNAy9EJDeL-iyxmM-6GFUif-Nw0gxonuM_8hkhSj2E8&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=o3Vcp0vjFz7BY57cTIe3aQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQFuLPfaBPv5_q96k4aWlpWYPi3B6OWgD-2_l3lX7RhDR2XnZMg0iwXdXAyV4iZpmf_qpcvr-xkH&oh=00_Af27la4oDnwWTFcto7DxjPK560_A0Sde9i4wCVa8Oayaxw&oe=69F11134)
![One of the biggest misconceptions we find when working with folks who are just learning about text-based communication is that all it should take for a student to be able to communicate is providing the right piece of technology (why can't she just use the talking keyboard?) or just placing a board in front of them (why won't he spell when I put the board in front of him?)
These questions inform how we provide training and support to schools. But that school has to be invested in the training.
Sometimes, they say some version of "Sure, you can have a letterboard / keyboard. Just pick it up and use it."
That statement tells us we have more work to do educating about why a student can't necessarily just pick up a board or type on a laptop.
They need
* training that includes a foundation in presuming competence and using strengths-based language.
* to understand apraxia & the brain-body disconnect.
* to understand the importance of building a balanced relationship between student & support staff.
* to learn how & when to prompt a student's movement, eyes, posture, attention - and when to fade those prompts.
* to learn how to adapt academic assignments to make them accessible in different ways without losing their grade-level integrity.
It's SO much more than just holding up a board.
As our student TJ writes, "I’m pleading for my right to communicate with someone trained to support me. Would you give a Deaf student interpreters who don’t really know ASL? Just like knowing how to finger spell doesn’t mean you can sign, holding a board up doesn’t mean you can support my communication."
For this sort of comprehensive training, we recommend Communication for Education. We are partners and have worked with around 300 educators, direct support providers, parents, administrators, and related service professionals.
[id: a photo of TJ, a young man with dark, shoulder length hair and glasses, seated pointing to letters on a board held by his communication partner, Lisa, who is standing next to him. TJ's words from the post are printed in white text with blue accents.]
#spellers #PresumeCompetence #NonspeakingAutism #CommunicationIsAHumanRight #CommunicationAccess](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/495514496_1272190871576524_288963743414427310_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=DvvNgIdbHzcQ7kNvwEKroVJ&_nc_oc=AdpcfYzDYmDNCXluGVeeTJwwBZ1BBhBsShgwXLBzUAs4ZdAvlSEFtqevy5guZtwkfZ0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=o3Vcp0vjFz7BY57cTIe3aQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQEpvUGChpY5Pdh4T-Ml9SuvatECBRW40TXpBHA4q8gQwBpGcFSFCOYYKEHja2mS7_Pv6IxVxC4a&oh=00_Af31KMON_Xu7eeZTDLKaafyPzEpDnQVByTTC46jjmOiTMA&oe=69F12622)
![Nadia's message to teachers touches on her hopes for a future where things change for autistic students.
She shares with us,
"Dear Teachers,
Your perception of my actions were fruitless. Over and over my wish of doing things right vanished. Hope: you get to change that with wisdom."
[id: a gray background with bold white letters reading "Dear Teachers" above a cutout of Nadia, a young woman with shoulder length dark hair. Nadia's words are printed in white next to her. The words "listen to all voices" and the reach every voice website are at the top of the image]
#PresumeCompetence #InclusiveEducation #ReachEveryVoice #RethinkAutism #CommunicationAccess](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/496317024_1272336914895253_2269727872541914343_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=YMftjr--XwYQ7kNvwF9q6C3&_nc_oc=AdoYkqEQZkti-NisdbJG5EuUuoWD9g-mN4juOHQw7_0lFS88izB0_eOoA1Nj2BCmtsQ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=o3Vcp0vjFz7BY57cTIe3aQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQHRVdsYCDdf0O4tVgMSAGVCLTGh6H8mxwYkHc0qMyWLtoQYSa9NvUQT5FLscFe3abt0UG1MEOt2&oh=00_Af0WjGMXrn1UTWGFPP7Qr3qAK1pJoRrCmRQJ-4aT38fhGg&oe=69F12B93)
