At Little Village Schoolhouse, one of our core beliefs is simple: we presume competence.
It sounds straightforward, but this philosophy has the power to transform how we support autistic and other neurodivergent individuals.
Presuming competence means believing that every person is capable of learning, understanding, communicating, growing, and contributing - even when those abilities may not be immediately visible to others.
It means choosing possibility over assumption.
What Does It Mean to Presume Competence?
Too often, people make judgments about someone’s intelligence, understanding, or potential based on how they speak, move, learn, or interact with the world.
- An individual who uses an AAC device may be assumed not to understand complex conversations.
- A child who struggles to sit still may be viewed as incapable of learning.
- A person who does not make eye contact may be assumed to be disengaged.
- A student who needs significant support may be underestimated academically.
These assumptions can create barriers that are often more limiting than a person’s actual disability.
Presuming competence means recognizing that communication, behavior, and ability are not the same thing.
- Just because someone communicates differently does not mean they have nothing to say.
- Just because someone learns differently does not mean they cannot learn.
- Just because someone needs support does not mean they lack potential.
Why Does It Matter?
The expectations we hold for people shape the opportunities we provide.
- When we assume someone cannot understand, we may stop explaining.
- When we assume someone cannot participate, we may stop including them.
- When we assume someone cannot learn, we may stop teaching them.
- When we assume someone cannot communicate, we may stop listening.
These decisions, often made with good intentions, can limit growth, independence, and self-confidence.
Presuming competence opens doors that assumptions often close. It encourages us to provide access to communication, meaningful education, relationships, experiences, and opportunities that every person deserves.
Presuming Competence Does Not Mean Ignoring Support Needs
Sometimes people misunderstand this concept.
- Presuming competence does not mean pretending challenges do not exist.
- It does not mean expecting people to do things without support.
- It does not mean denying accommodations or assistance.
In fact, presuming competence often leads to providing more support, not less. When we presume competence, we ask:
- What supports might help this person succeed?
- How can we make this environment more accessible?
- What communication methods work best for them?
- What barriers can we remove?
- How can we build on their strengths?
The goal is not independence at all costs. The goal is meaningful participation with the supports a person needs.
What Presuming Competence Looks Like
Presuming competence can be reflected in everyday actions:
- Speaking directly to a person rather than talking about them.
- Offering age-respectful materials and opportunities.
- Providing access to communication supports.
- Including individuals in decisions that affect them.
- Explaining information rather than assuming it won’t be understood.
- Offering choices whenever possible.
- Teaching skills instead of assuming they cannot be learned.
- Looking beyond behavior to understand underlying needs.
These practices communicate a powerful message: you matter. Your thoughts matter. Your voice matters.
The Risk of Being Wrong
Some people worry that presuming competence means setting expectations too high. But consider the alternative.
If we presume competence and provide opportunities, supports, and respect, we create the possibility for growth.
If we presume incompetence and we are wrong, we may limit someone’s opportunities for years.
- One mistake risks offering too much support and opportunity.
- The other risks denying it.
The choice becomes clear.
A Better Question
Instead of asking: “Can they do this?”
We can ask: “How can we support them in doing this?”
That shift changes everything. It moves us away from limitations and toward possibilities. It encourages curiosity instead of judgment. It helps us focus on access rather than assumptions.
Our Commitment
At Little Village Schoolhouse, presuming competence is more than a philosophy. It is a commitment.
We believe every individual deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and high expectations. We believe every person has strengths worth discovering, ideas worth sharing, and a future worth investing in.
We may not always know what someone is capable of. But we know this: people are far more likely to rise to opportunities than to assumptions.
That is why we will always begin with belief.
We will always presume competence. Contact us to start a conversation.
