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Collection Presume Competence

Date Created: 6/10/2016

Posts: 5

We hear and say "Presume Competence" or "Presumed Competence" in our daily interactions with individuals with complex communication needs (CCN). For some staff/family members/administrators, this is a given; for others , this is a leap of faith that they are more than ready to do, they just needed to have permission; and yet for others , whoa! this just seems to be the impossible until that person is some way "proves it" to them.

collection curator

Kelly Fonner

kellyfonner@gmail.com

Kelly is a self-employed consultant and trainer in assistive & educational technology. She started out her working career as a teaching assistant, and has worked as a special education teacher, instructional media specialist, and as a assistive technology consultant at the school, state and university program levels. She works as a consultant to programs, schools & families in implementing assistive technologies for communication and literacy. Kelly also presents nationally, teaches university and online courses and also works with a variety of assistive technology companies in the industry. She has her BS in Special Education from Millersville University in Pennsylvania & her MS in Educational Technology with an emphasis in Rehabilitation/Special Education Technology from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. She has pursued continuing education & research in Urban Education & Adult Learning at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and is a PODD Certified presenter. You can find her at www.kellyfonner.com In addition to her professional affiliation with people with complex communication needs, Kelly has people in her personal life that use and have used assistive technologies and this has molded and shaped her career and presentations over time. She firmly believes that information about this field is at its greatest value when represented from all perspectives and this has brought her whole-heartedly to the Communication Matrix Community of Practice.

Quote Presumed Competence hit me hardest when I felt it's impact on a family member.

The Impact of Family on Your Job in the Field of AAC

Kelly Fonner. - 6/10/2016

My sister-in-law Kay was the oldest of the sisters and brothers in my husband's family. After their mother passed away, as many first children do, she assumed the role of family matriarch. She refused...

Quote In a story about one student, Shelly shares so much about Presuming Competence in all the students that we work with on a daily basis.

Under the Table - The Importance of Presuming Competence Shelly Moore

Kelly Fonner. - 6/10/2016

There's a wonderful Ted-X Talk from Shelly Moore in which she describes one of her first experiences as a high school special educator with a student with autism, sensory disabilities and intellectual...

Quote Presumed Competence is the basis of this state-wide project in Pennsylvania

Project MAX starts with Presuming Compentence

Kelly Fonner. - 6/10/2016

Project MAX was developed to raise expectations for students with the most significant needs and disabilities through the core principal of presumed competence. The purpose of Project MAX is to increa...

Quote Modeling on an AAC system to a child is not only a great strategy for building skills in the child, but it is also a silent signal to everyone else around that you "presumed competence" in this child.

Let's talk about Modeling!

Karen Natoci . - 12/1/2014

I want to share this wonderful article on modeling. It really helps to have CORE vocabulary and tangibles available "on the spot" to use while communicating "TO" our learners. I especially like #2: ...

Quote Presuming Competence put into Action

Presuming Competence Everyday in the Classroom

Kelly Fonner. - 6/10/2016

An Online training from Cheryl Jorgenson gives you the nuts and bolts of how to do this in instructional settings. It's always great to talk about presumed competence, but Cheryl puts it into action f...

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