Nonverbal Student Receives Standing Ovation For Inspirational Speech At Graduation

A nonverbal student received a poignant standing ovation after giving an inspirational speech at her graduation, urging her classmates to ‘use their voice’ and serve others. 

Elizabeth Bonker has not spoken since she was 15 months old, having been diagnosed with nonverbal autism. She now uses a keyboard to communicate – technology that she says has helped ‘unlock’ her mind. 

Bonker was chosen by her four fellow valedictorians to deliver the commencement speech to the graduation class of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. 

Using a text-to-speech computer programme, she explained to the college’s 529 graduating students: “I have typed this speech with one finger with a communication partner holding a keyboard. I am one of the lucky few nonspeaking autistics who has learnt to type. 

“That one critical intervention unlocked my mind from its silent cage, enabling me to communicate and to be educated.” 

Bonker, who has written a book about her journey with autism called I Am In Here, continued: “God gave you a voice. Use it. 

"And no, the irony of a non-speaking autistic encouraging you to use your voice is not lost on me. Because if you can see the worth in me, then you can see the worth in everyone you meet." 

Bonker graduated with a degree in social innovation, and has even created her own non-profit organisation called Communication 4 ALL. According to its website, an estimated 40 percent of people with autism are non-speaking, which equates to about 31 million worldwide. 

“Critical to our movement-building efforts is creating opportunities for non-speakers with autism who type (typers) to advocate for their rights,” the organisation says. “Through the campaign, C4A will celebrate and uplift the stories of typers, like Elizabeth, who have succeeded against the odds in developing communication skills. These young people have gone on to complete their educations and pursue cherished goals.” 

In her speech, Bonker said she has ‘struggled’ throughout her life with ‘not being heard or accepted’. 

She added: "Yet today, here I stand. Each day, I choose to celebrate small victories, and today, I am celebrating a big victory with all of you." 

Bonker concluded her speech with a quote from Alan Turing, the mathematician who broke the Nazi encryption code to help win World War II, who said: “Sometimes, it is the people no one imagines anything of who do the things no one can imagine.”

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