Monica van Schaik lives in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, where they co-own a private practice called Out of the Box Counselling & Collaborations. Monica is an S2C Practitioner, therapist (MSW, RSW), and Relationship Development Intervention® consultant. Their work focuses on supporting members of the nonspeaking, neurodivergent, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities to access communication, recognize the impact of systems of oppression (including ableism), and find healing and self-celebration. Monica has been a member of the I-ASC Practitioner Leadership Cadre since I-ASC’s inception in June 2019. As an LC member, they enjoy supporting S2C Practitioner cohorts as a cohort leader and I-ASC’s Nonspeaking Leadership Council. Monica has been a proud coordinator of the Spellers & Allies Advocacy Network since its creation in the Fall of 2019. Monica enjoys planning, facilitating, scheming, advocating, and learning alongside all of the nonspeaking and ally members of S&A. Monica said, “My commitment is first and foremost to the nonspeaking community to ensure that I-ASC creates change with nonspeaking individuals, not for them. I am so excited to see the powerful leadership skills of the nonspeaking community and am honored to support their vision for change.