Spelling Allies

06/27/2024

When speaking with physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) about apraxia, it's important to communicate clearly and effectively. Here is a suggested approach for discussing your concerns and needs:

Explaining Your Child's Needs

Introduction:
"Hello, I'm here to discuss my child's treatment plan, as I believe my child has apraxia. This condition is foundational to their success in activities of daily living over time."

Highlighting Key Concerns:
"I want to address the brain-body disconnect that is characteristic of apraxia. This disconnect makes it difficult for my child to initiate, maintain, and stop motor movements, as well as to motor plan independently."

Seeking Competent Support:
"Most importantly, I need to know if you have the capacity to presume competence in my child. This means bringing age-appropriate treatment options that do not rely solely on 'child-led' activities, given my child's specific struggles."

Treatment Approach:
“I am looking for structured, therapist-led activities that provide clear guidance and support, helping my child develop the necessary motor skills. Can we focus on interventions that are tailored to these needs?"

This approach ensures that you communicate the essential aspects of your child's condition and needs, advocating for a treatment plan that addresses their unique challenges.

Hope this helps! Cheers.

05/25/2024

05/23/2024

It's official. The certification finally came in!

Hi, I am Vanessa Spriet, a Certified S2C Practitioner out of Baker City, Oregon, and mother of an 11-year-old, nonspeaking speller.

Please help me spread the word to let families know they can count on motor coaching and spelling to attain meaningful and reliable communication for their autistic non and limited-speakers.

Why did I choose to become a trained Spelling to Communicate practitioner?

Simple—I’m a parent of a non-speaking autistic son who uses Spelling to Communicate (S2C). I’ve witnessed how communication changes lives. I saw it in my son’s spelling journey, and I see it in my students now. They want and can learn to communicate by pointing to letters to spell out complete words and sentences.

I know the fear that creeps in when hope seems like a distant dream after YEARS OF DISAPPOINTING APPROACHES, with claims of effective, evidence-based practices. However, I took a leap of faith, and boy, did it pay off! And now, I’m here because I was put on this earth to do the work.

I am here to help your loved one spell to communicate.

You can learn more about spelling as communication at spellingallies-s2c.com and at i-asc.org.

05/20/2024

🌴✨ We’re back from our unforgettable trip to the Bahamas! I’d be lying if I said it was smooth sailing. Considering our recent crisis... well, it was a lot—two days of travel across the country, endless excitement, and yes, a few hiccups along the way. But you know what? It was A LOT of fun too!

A meltdown in the middle of the fanciest restaurant we’ve ever been at as a family. We had to leave early because it was incredibly loud—you could barely hear yourself talk. These moments remind me why I cherish allowing my kids to be human, to express all their emotions, and to live joyfully at every possible moment. Because everything we do, we do together. We rise and fall together, and we make it out of every squirrely situation—100% of the time.

This trip was truly one for the books! 📚💦 We played with dolphins, and Sulea and I braved nearly all the slides—our hearts nearly leaped out of our chests on the 50ft slide, though we couldn’t muster up the courage for the 60ft one! 🙃 Plus, we got plenty of beach and ocean time, and we're bringing home tan lines that'll last us a lifetime.

Reflecting on this adventure, I wanted to share a thought that's been guiding us through life's ups and downs: "You might be struggling but you are NOT failing."

Why am I telling you this? Because we almost didn't go. We wanted to just stay home and not stress the kids out. Both of them are going through some medical things. But we knew if we didn't go, we'd break their hearts. They had been waiting for this opportunity for months.

We decided to go and we're sure we'd be successful. But we braced ourselves, put on smiling faces, and prepared ourselves for the BEST.

Yea, you heard us right. FOR THE BEST.

In our family's philosophy, success isn't measured by the absence of challenges but by the abundance of what truly matters. As long as we end the day with love in our hearts, food to share, a roof over our heads, fate by our side, clean water, breath in our lungs, shoes on our feet, and light in our eyes, we consider ourselves successful. 🏠❤️💧🍽️

This mindset has helped us see tough situations not as failures but as opportunities to appreciate the essentials we often take for granted. It’s not about the hurdles we face, but how we hold onto each other and what we hold dear that defines our journey.

So here's to joyful adventures and finding success in the simple, yet profound parts of life: love, family, and shared moments of pure joy. Cheers to more memories like these! ✨🐬🌊

05/17/2024

👏

Congratulations to the winners of the Spring into Spelling Nick D'Amora Board Blazer Award: Brothers Helping Spellers 🎉

Founded by three remarkable individuals—William Warren, Hugh Reid Jr, and Alva Khai Cottingham—who communicate through spelling, this dedicated trio is making a significant difference. They tirelessly assist their fellow nonspeaking individuals who lack access to spelling services by offering financial support to underserved and minority communities. Through their scholarship initiative, deserving recipients receive letterboards and necessary materials to engage in Spelling to Communicate. Hugh, William, and Alva's unwavering commitment ensures that financial obstacles do not hinder communication. They exemplify true leadership and embody the spirit of a Board Blazer.

Image description: A group photo of brothers helping spellers: (left to right) William, Hughie, Alva. In the top left is the Spring into Spelling logo. text reads: Congratulations thank you for your hard work and service to the nonsepaking community. in the top right is an award banner with the words "I-ASC Nick D'Amora Board Blazers". In the bottom middle in the Brothers Helping Spellers Logo.

05/05/2024

05/04/2024

04/18/2024

The SPELLERS movie is now available at no cost on YouTube!!! SHARE SHARE SHARE!

Inspired by the book Underestimated, the new full-length documentary SPELLERS challenges conventional wisdom regarding a group relegated to society’s margins...

04/17/2024

04/16/2024

Coaching the motor to include coaching the eyes to scan is so important for our clients that cannot sustain a steady gaze.

Today Harley attempted to verbalize what he wanted. But I didn't understand.

I pulled out his alphabetized keyboard on touch chat (his speech generating device/tablet/talker).

And I said, “Did you mean popcorn?” And he pressed the y, and I said, “After the y is? When you see it point to it.”

He scanned, paused— but I noticed he was reading.

He pressed the word predicted “yeah.”

Popcorn it is.

And today I asked him if he liked New Years Eve as much as I did and he spelled on the letter board, “I DONT”

Fair. 😅

So—Because we have focused on his hand eye coordination he is now able to say, what he wants to say, versus someone “modeling” what we think they want to say.

Yes, did we focused on specific answers for years? Yes… but by teaching him how to spell just about every age appropriate word and high level vocabulary, versus infantile core vocabulary. He is now reliably communicating. And that's the paradigm shift we are making.

If i had focused on core vocabulary on Saltillo devices, I would have never known he experiences misophonia. Or that he thinks I am his hero.

And my next controversial statement is that core vocabulary does NOT presume competence. I said what I said.

As a parent and practitioner—
Hear my plea: A motor-based approach to communication is what will get the spectrum of nonspeakers with sensory-motor differences reliably and meaningfully communicating.

Don't wait. I too waited too long to get to know my Son. I had always known he was there. And yet I am living and breathing the gift of getting to know him for the first time.

04/16/2024

This feels important: Please don’t miss an update❤️
Join our email community for all the news, including book announcements!📚
OUR GIFT TO YOU: Andrew’s insightful words! Six downloadable cards. Print them out or keep them on your phone for inspiration.✨

Excited to share our updates with you!
Emails are 1/week. 📬

Grateful for this awesome community.🔥

xo Susan
Susan Baker, Toronto, Canada
Life, Love & Autism

“A Life Beyond Words” releases June 18, 2024 through online booksellers. 📕

Join Susan’s email news:
https://susan319.activehosted.com/f/1

04/11/2024

Join us this Saturday, April 13th from 9-2pm for Our Autism Journey - Better Together. At the table I will have sign-ups available for an upcoming in-person S2C intensive weekend. I will also have information on the difference between speech and language. Bring all your questions, and stop by to learn more. Look for the purple table with this exact sign.
-------
🗣️ Unlocking the Mystery: Speech vs. Language 🧠✨

Hi! My name is Vanessa and I am a Mom of a Non-Speaking 5th grader this year! Oh, man! Time flies.

I am currently a Spelling to Communicate Practitioner.
I am now taking students Nonspeaking and Limited Speaking individuals AT NO COST (must visit Baker City, OR to redeem offer).

Ages 4 to 99. Yes, you heard me. All ages. Adults, and children.

I approach communication from the motor perspective and I believe your loved one can and wants to learn. Presuming competence in the brain and the body is my motto. I carefully coach the body to point to letters to spell to communicate.
Email me today to schedule an assessment: [email protected]
-----
Did you know that speech and language are not one and the same? 🤔 Let’s dive into the fascinating world of neurology and discover the differences! 🧠💬

In individuals with apraxia, the language centers of the brain remain intact. 💡 It’s the Supplementary Motor Cortex, Primary Cortex, and Sensory Cortex that bear the impact. 🎯 The Sensory Cortex plays a crucial role in guiding the Motor Cortex, and this affected area leads to unique movements and challenges in motor coordination. 🔄🧩

But here’s the remarkable part: Their ability to formulate thoughts and ideas is not affected! 💭✨ Despite the motor difficulties in creating speech sounds, their cognitive processes are intact. They possess an innate capacity for communication, waiting to be unleashed. 🔓💪

So, let’s remember: Speech is a motor skill, intricately tied to the coordination of our articulatory muscles. 🎤🤷‍♂️ On the other hand, language is a cognitive process, encompassing the vast world of thoughts, ideas, and the power of expression. 🌟💬

Join us in celebrating the unique strengths of individuals with apraxia, as we embark on a journey of unlocking their true communication potential. Together, let’s bridge the gap and ensure no voice goes unheard. 🤝💙

Learn more at spellingallies-s2c.com

Communication coaching from the motor perspective for non-speaking & minimally speaking individuals who experience apraxia and sensory-motor differences. Ages 4-99.
Autism, Down-Syndrome, Complex Ocular & Motor.