This is the story of Victor's, who is fully verbal, journey to find deeper communication - through Spelling.
After seeing his twin brother's success with Spelling, we are now on a quest to see if our verbal/speaking son Victor can access more depth in his language through Spelling. Dr. Dana Johnson is leading us on this journey, and we have committed to a full year of following her lead. It's one thing to have language... it's another to have true communication.
Week 4, Video 3 of 3
Working with our local practitioner, goal is full sentences.
Week 4
Video 2 of 3: Working with our local practitioner. Goal is full sentences. He did great!
Week 4
Video 1 of 3: Working with our local practitioner. Goal is full sentences. He did great!
Vic has visual apraxia but the new glasses help a ton! This task helps to strengthens his vision, and fine motor. This was a tough one, took a long time and lots of patience as it had almost 90 stickers! ♥️
Week 3 with mom: Discussing motor differences, full sentence.
Week 3. Spelled with Mimi for first time, our local practitioner/friend, answered in a sentence.
For those following our journey, I have been MIA with my updates/posts the last few weeks due to a little medical mishap, but I have been spelling alongside our team without fail the entire time and cannot wait to share some progress!!
I will post the video progressions, and then add a "tips" I've learned along the way afterwards. :)
Victor Week 2, with his new glasses!! He answered an open question with his aide, who started alongside us. :)
Week one update:
Vic is doing awesome with everything, our only struggle is how hard this is on his eyes. He was diagnosed with visual Apraxia a few years ago, so he fatigues easily with visual tasks. Looking forward to getting his new glasses, prayerfully they help!
This clip shows some of his progress in just a week's time, for those who don’t know, Vic he also has AS (Ankylosing spondylitis) so he fidgets with his hands often as the bone erosion is painful. This was our second session of the day and he was a bit fatigued so I spelled a few extra words to make things easier. I also sing/song the letters to help pace him. If I don’t, he often pokes too fast.
We told him spelling may work better to access deeper thoughts and he gets it, but often still stops to interject or comment.
So I did giggle a little watching this video clip where he stops to ask “when we will be all done", and I answer, then he asks “at what time” and checks the clock. 😎
Case in point of our journey, this is not about language, we already have that, it’s about true communication!
01/29/2024
For those asking on PM, here is the center where Dana and her team are:
Spellers Center Tampa — Spellers - Communication for Nonspeakers Based in Tampa, FL the Spellers Center Tampa (formerly Interplay Therapy Center) is a robust learning center where nonspeakers come to learn the Spellers Method as well as participate in intentional movement sessions to support motor planning and intentional movement. Go here if you're looking for T
Vic sharing a crazy snack he made 🫣
01/29/2024
For those asking about the vision center, it’s in Tampa.
https://walesby3d.com/our-doctors/
Walesby Vision Center
813-345-8544
Our Doctors J. Robert Walesby, O.D., F.C.O.V.D. Nicholas Thomas, O.D., F.C.O.V.D. Dr. Sheree Wright