Freed Minds

07/03/2024

Excerpt written by a SLP “When the film “SPELLERS” was released, I critically watched, through a trained eye, for what ASHA claimed S2C to be: a dangerous false hope that a non-speaking individual can spell to communicate and that S2C is simply a reflection of “facilitator bias,” a “documented phenomenon in which a helper unintentionally influences the message produced,” and that any communication coming from this modality is not that of the non-speaker, but that of their wishful communication partner.

Yet, this is not what I observed at all. As a longtime behavioral therapist, I can identify facilitator bias prompting and I looked for such in the film. I watched as multiple non-speaking individuals spelled out complex language on a variety of AAC boards and devices, and even on independent typing on keyboards.

Unfortunately, change in orthodoxy is never easy, and we have yet to see ASHA reverse course and acknowledge this new understanding or endorse this valid and effective AAC motor training method.

I pray one day soon ASHA will finally hear the pleas of this amazing community of non-speakers and help give a voice and a future to all those yet to be recognized for their full potential. Meanwhile, providers, educators, and parents: Watch “SPELLERS” — and help be the voice for change.”

The SPELLERS movement is changing everything we “experts” thought we knew about autism. It appears that we have overlooked a significant underlying condition that should dramatically change the way we approach interventions.

05/08/2024

05/04/2024

Wynston Browne, a Westport teen with non-speaking autism and apraxia, likes to be called Winnie – because “winners never give up.” Mark Sudol shares how spelling has provided a life-changing breakthrough for the 16-year-old.

02/29/2024

This is blog written by a non-speaking couple. It’s just a little glimpse into the loving relationship they share and should encourage us all to see that a full life is possible for non-speakers.


https://jordynsrockyjourney.wordpress.com/2020/02/21/our-beautiful-and-different-looking-love/?fbclid=IwAR0nP3PEdR86nxIfM_z57tJGAs0IGNGmcT8U-n5a59Myj5e4J4RrCOkxByc_aem_AVyAvu1f7qZpPidM95ltVGn8pJxZLDHdXe4uHGzXjhreIJVJffCpjYS9CL3_4LawxUA

Co-written with Graciela Lotharius, please find more of her writing at Dare to Listen G: Love to spend time with my boyfriend even though it is really difficult to do the things that we want to do …

12/14/2023

I love this well organized comparison . I read where one speller described it as life in grey scale compared to life in technicolor .

We’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about the difference between “typical” AAC (talkers, picture boards, just typing on an ipad/keyboard) and Spelling to Communicate. This visual covers some of the differences but certainly not all!

The main difference is the perspective that is used to teach these forms of communication! Spelling to Communicate teaches the body to listen to what the brain is telling it to do because we know that the core difficulty for many non-speaking and minimally speaking individuals is motor control! This perspective is almost never used when individuals are taught to use a “talker” or picture board. This is because there is an assumption (VERY often a wrong assumption) that the reason an individual isn’t communicating is because of cognitive, social, and/or behavioral delays. As you can imagine, when the root of the challenge is not targeted (in these instances, motor control), progress & expression are limited!

We support ALL forms of communication. Our preference is most often Spelling to Communicate because it’s the method in which we see the most progress with our non-speaking and minimally speaking clients. ✏️ 🔠

If your child has made limited progress using a “talker”, Spelling to Communicate may provide the support that is needed to achieve open communication! Want to learn more about this? We’d love to chat!
📞 Call/text 330-299-5121

12/06/2023

11/09/2023

We live in a society that privileges speech above all other methods of communication. If you’re someone fortunate enough to be able to use speech reliably as your main method of communication, chances are you don’t have to spend a lot of time or energy thinking about how you access it.

That's a privilege.

Our society also frequently equates speech and emotional regulation with intelligence. If you've never had someone make a snap judgement about your capability based on your outward appearance or communication, you might not understand the pain of being misjudged, often for years.

That's a privilege, too.

At Reach Every Voice, we recognize the privilege that comes with speaking and being in control of our motor systems. And we work to amplify the words and ideas of those whose voices have been marginalized.

Our student Ryan proudly shares,
"I am a nonspeaker. My body does not always reflect what my mind is thinking. With patience you will see my true intelligence."

As you move through your day today, stop and ask yourself what you may have taken for granted and how you can work to reframe your assumptions around nonspeaking people.

[id: a photograph of a smiling young man in a baseball cap and hoodie sitting in his car. The words from the quote shared in the caption are on the photo surrounded by blue accents.]

10/30/2023

👏🏻

09/28/2023

"Apraxia (noun, aprax·​ia): The loss of ability to execute or carry out skilled movement and gestures, despite having the physical ability and desire to perform them" - NINDS. Spellers from Spellers & Allies Advocacy Network share their own take on what apraxia means to them. Keep following along for more words from nonspeakers.

09/22/2023

Good Morning America featured a story about presuming competence in non-speakers and using letterboards for communication ! I really believe this form of communication will be the norm for our next generation . It was also exciting to see my friends at Growing Kids on nation tv . I had the pleasure of doing my internship with them last summer . Ian patiently allowed me to practice my skills with him. Anyone else excited to read this book ?
🗣️ Speech does not indicate intelligence 💡

The author's captivating new thriller is the "GMA" Book Club pick for September.