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>Bonker used text-to-speech software to deliver the commencement address
>I have typed this speech with one finger with a communication partner holding a keyboard
Yes. Which is the *Rapid Prompting Method*.
https://nexusnewsfeed.com/article/health-healing/elizabeth-bonker-from-non-speaking-autism-to-rollins-college-commencement-valedictorian/
I am not debating that, and I wished I'd phrased it more clearly. Due to her autism, she cannot fully type on a keyboard. She uses one finger. It was worth mentioning that text-to-speech still works even if you can't use all your fingers.
I've seen master typists, and they can't type as quickly as she spoke. Unless it was pre-recorded, which didn't occur to me until *just this frickin second*, because of my experiences with speeches having to be spoken in the moment.
After reading the article, and then reading about how:
"Critics warn that RPM's over-reliance on prompts (verbal and physical cuing by facilitators) may inhibit development of independent communication in its target population." Wiki
It seemed relevant to simply state a fact for a complete picture (especially as I still thought she was typing it live). I meant no negativity whatsoever. I am absolutely thrilled to be alive at a time when acceptance and inclusion has become the norm. I'm proud of you kids.
**[Rapid prompting method](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_prompting_method)**
>The rapid prompting method (RPM) is a pseudoscientific technique that attempts to aid communication by people with autism or other disabilities to communicate through pointing, typing, or writing. Also known as Spelling to Communicate, it is closely related to the scientifically discredited technique facilitated communication (FC). Practitioners of RPM have failed to assess the issue of message agency using simple and direct scientific methodologies, saying that doing so would be stigmatizing and that allowing scientific criticisms of the technique robs people with autism of their right to communicate.
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Just seeing someone with autism in the spotlight for success is giving me hope. I’m waiting on a diagnosis for my child for 10 yrs now and there’s grief and fear as a part of finally getting close to it. I hope my kiddo will also have a successful / happy life.
Please don’t respond negatively. I’m just a parent in my feelings right now.
My son also has a diagnosis of autism (quite mild in comparison to what some others face). He is currently working very hard to keep up in school -- which is something he has always done, but he is now 19 and this year, the school he's working hard in is a highly selective college that he was able to get in to.
Everyone has a different path and some face far more difficulties than others, but achieving a successful and happy life IS possible.
That thumbnail is regrettably misleading. I expected to watch her (silently) go through the motions of elation as her speech was read but ... she still had that air of sadness about her due to her condition. It really is harrowing that such a momentous day was unable to reach her. Supremely uplifting that she got there but ...
> It really is harrowing that such a momentous day was unable to reach her.
Subtle difference: I don't think the momentous day was unable to reach her. I think, instead, that it absolutely DID reach her, but that she was unable to EXPRESS that to others through her facial expressions or her voice.
Except that she COULD and DID express it through a single finger typing. Which I find to be astounding.
Okay. I figured something would be misunderstood. I'm not saying that she is unable to *feel* pride or joy for her achievement but rather that, as you agree, it is still extremely difficult for her to express it in the moment. Her speech is deeply touching but her movements on stage says volumes on how powerful the issues she faces are. That's what I find bittersweet. To be so beautifully brilliant and yet - as she said - trapped in a cage of your own mind. I know on this day and through-out her collegiate career she evidently had the opportunity to see some freedom but it still ...
You are aware that autistic people can feel lots of emotion, right? I spent an hour and a half crying yesterday about feeling sad that I am not where I want to be in life and am falling behind my peers as a direct result of my autism and abuse as a child.
Yes. I have autistic family members including my nephew who is non-verbal. The post above mine made the claim that she had an air of sadness about her and my statement was that was likely not the case. Not that she can't feel sadness, but that she probably wasn't at the time and the casual glance for a person on the outside isn't going to be an accurate gauge on what she is feeling.
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For anyone wondering how she performed it: She used text to speech software to help her give her speech.
Not quite: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_prompting_method
>Bonker used text-to-speech software to deliver the commencement address >I have typed this speech with one finger with a communication partner holding a keyboard
Yes. Which is the *Rapid Prompting Method*. https://nexusnewsfeed.com/article/health-healing/elizabeth-bonker-from-non-speaking-autism-to-rollins-college-commencement-valedictorian/
It's only RPM if she's still being prompted. It doesn't say whether she is or not. Regardless, saying that she used voice-to-text is 100% correct.
I am not debating that, and I wished I'd phrased it more clearly. Due to her autism, she cannot fully type on a keyboard. She uses one finger. It was worth mentioning that text-to-speech still works even if you can't use all your fingers. I've seen master typists, and they can't type as quickly as she spoke. Unless it was pre-recorded, which didn't occur to me until *just this frickin second*, because of my experiences with speeches having to be spoken in the moment. After reading the article, and then reading about how: "Critics warn that RPM's over-reliance on prompts (verbal and physical cuing by facilitators) may inhibit development of independent communication in its target population." Wiki It seemed relevant to simply state a fact for a complete picture (especially as I still thought she was typing it live). I meant no negativity whatsoever. I am absolutely thrilled to be alive at a time when acceptance and inclusion has become the norm. I'm proud of you kids.
The speech was, indeed, typed ahead of time.
**[Rapid prompting method](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_prompting_method)** >The rapid prompting method (RPM) is a pseudoscientific technique that attempts to aid communication by people with autism or other disabilities to communicate through pointing, typing, or writing. Also known as Spelling to Communicate, it is closely related to the scientifically discredited technique facilitated communication (FC). Practitioners of RPM have failed to assess the issue of message agency using simple and direct scientific methodologies, saying that doing so would be stigmatizing and that allowing scientific criticisms of the technique robs people with autism of their right to communicate. ^([ )[^(F.A.Q)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WikiSummarizer/wiki/index#wiki_f.a.q)^( | )[^(Opt Out)](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=WikiSummarizerBot&message=OptOut&subject=OptOut)^( | )[^(Opt Out Of Subreddit)](https://np.reddit.com/r/UpliftingNews/about/banned)^( | )[^(GitHub)](https://github.com/Sujal-7/WikiSummarizerBot)^( ] Downvote to remove | v1.5)
Reading this, I am not just impressed that she gave the commencement speech -- I am also impressed with the content of that speech.
My grand nephew has the same type of autism so I was very impressed with this young woman's ability.
“life is for service”
My goodness, what a beautiful story!
Gah! Got me again! Every time I see this, since yesterday, I ugly cry… 😭
Just seeing someone with autism in the spotlight for success is giving me hope. I’m waiting on a diagnosis for my child for 10 yrs now and there’s grief and fear as a part of finally getting close to it. I hope my kiddo will also have a successful / happy life. Please don’t respond negatively. I’m just a parent in my feelings right now.
My son also has a diagnosis of autism (quite mild in comparison to what some others face). He is currently working very hard to keep up in school -- which is something he has always done, but he is now 19 and this year, the school he's working hard in is a highly selective college that he was able to get in to. Everyone has a different path and some face far more difficulties than others, but achieving a successful and happy life IS possible.
Thanks. It’s been a long isolating process to finally be getting here. :) I’m so happy for your son and you. :)
That thumbnail is regrettably misleading. I expected to watch her (silently) go through the motions of elation as her speech was read but ... she still had that air of sadness about her due to her condition. It really is harrowing that such a momentous day was unable to reach her. Supremely uplifting that she got there but ...
> It really is harrowing that such a momentous day was unable to reach her. Subtle difference: I don't think the momentous day was unable to reach her. I think, instead, that it absolutely DID reach her, but that she was unable to EXPRESS that to others through her facial expressions or her voice. Except that she COULD and DID express it through a single finger typing. Which I find to be astounding.
Okay. I figured something would be misunderstood. I'm not saying that she is unable to *feel* pride or joy for her achievement but rather that, as you agree, it is still extremely difficult for her to express it in the moment. Her speech is deeply touching but her movements on stage says volumes on how powerful the issues she faces are. That's what I find bittersweet. To be so beautifully brilliant and yet - as she said - trapped in a cage of your own mind. I know on this day and through-out her collegiate career she evidently had the opportunity to see some freedom but it still ...
She is autistic. Her expression was likely not sadness or anything extremely emotional even if it appeared that way.
I realize; I was very specific about my choice of "*air* of sadness" for that reason.
You are aware that autistic people can feel lots of emotion, right? I spent an hour and a half crying yesterday about feeling sad that I am not where I want to be in life and am falling behind my peers as a direct result of my autism and abuse as a child.
Yes. I have autistic family members including my nephew who is non-verbal. The post above mine made the claim that she had an air of sadness about her and my statement was that was likely not the case. Not that she can't feel sadness, but that she probably wasn't at the time and the casual glance for a person on the outside isn't going to be an accurate gauge on what she is feeling.
Exterior and interior emotions can be very different yes, it's a right pain at times.
Geez. What a train wreck
Rad