Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spelling*?
In Spelling, we’re engaging the gross purposeful motor skills needed to point to letters – shoulder, arm and hand reach – and eventually type as a reliable form of communication. It is designed for individuals whose thoughts may not be accurately expressed through speech because of motor and sensory challenges.
Who’s a candidate for Spelling?
Spelling is not limited to anyone. Spelling Moore specializes in helping ASD and Down Syndrome individuals who are nonspeaking, minimally speaking, or whose speech is unreliable become proficient in the spelling lifestyle. Spelling helps those stuck in the world of rote, loopy, and repetitive things – stims & self-injourous acts – by redirecting their motor planning for positive initial movements like typing.
Does my child have to be autistic?
No. Spelling is beneficial for anyone whose motor challenges interfere with spoken communication, regardless of diagnosis.
What age is appropriate to begin?
From my years of experience, every child regardless of age is able to start Spelling. Singing the alphabet song while touching letters counts as poking practice!
Does my child need to know the alphabet before starting?
“It’s amazing what you learn when no one thinks you’re listening. I knew colors, numbers, and the alphabet the first few times through my baby books but had no way to tell my mom that I thirsted for more!”
– 19 year-old speller
Our belief, based off our spellers own words, is that they learned the alphabet and basic spelling sight words starting as early as age two. They are listening to everything which means they teach themselves many novel things in ways most of us cannot comprehend!
Will Spelling replace speech?
No. We want to provide reliable communication — not to eliminate speech. Many ‘talkers’ will script on movie quotes or repeat words while they type something different – and more intelligent – than what their mouth is saying.
My child already uses an AAC device. Can they still learn Spelling?
Absolutely. Many individuals successfully use multiple forms of communication, including speech-generating devices, picture-based AAC, typing, and spelling. Spelling is merely another tool that can complement existing communication systems by providing access to unlimited language through the alphabet.
Why use a letterboard/keyboard instead of only an AAC device?
A letterboard gives access to every word that can be spelled using the 26 letters of the alphabet. Rather than relying on pre-programmed vocabulary or icons, individuals can generate original thoughts, ask questions, tell stories, participate in academics, and express complex ideas with greater flexibility.
Does Spelling teach communication or motor skills?
We want both. Purposeful motor helps build the muscle memory needed to spell at a fluid level – small or full sentence, typed responses. Neuroplasticity – the ability for our brains to form new neural pathways – is scientifically proven so why would our friends on the spectrum not be able to do the same? When the person learns to spell they are building new neural pathways for that important purposeful motor. Time and time again, my parents have shared home stories about their child spontaneously doing something that makes them pause and take notice. A new chore without being asked. No resistance to something that has always been met with hesitation. Saying a quick and appropriate phrase out of nowhere! All within months or years after Spelling.
Can Spelling be used alongside speech therapy, occupational therapy, or other services?
Of course. All motor is good motor!
* Soma RPM, Spelling to Communicate [S2C], The Spellers Method & any other typing based methods