The Speller Space
WELCOME TO
THE SPELLER SPACE
Giving a Voice to Individuals with Autism
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What is The Speller Space?
We serve students that are non-speaking, minimally-speaking and unreliably-speaking. Unfortunately society calls them "low-functioning" but we know better. At The Speller Space, our participants are given the tools that enable them to express their thoughts and ideas, once locked away, but now readily accessible. The trajectory of their lives (and ours) is forever changed.
We utilize emerging, innovative communication modalities that employ a letterboard, iPad and eventually a keyboard. Autistic students learn to express their thoughts, ideas and feelings, thereby “tapping into” their inner world. This highly intelligent population is grossly misunderstood, but they finally have a voice at The Speller Space.
Understanding Autism
We see autism as a brain-body disconnect problem, not as a cognitive disorder. While the motor skill of speech may be a challenge for this population, we know that their language is intact. We teach those with motor difficulties to coordinate their brain and body to communicate by spelling. This practice builds new neural pathways in order to create an alternative outlet for communication. As students practice these motor skills, they grow from pointing to letters on letterboards to typing on keyboards — many spellers have even gone on to write books and create blogs expressing a common thread in their experiences. Check out The Speller Space Blog by clicking on "Blog" in the navigation bar above.
The Program
The Speller Space is one of the first programs of its kind to presume intelligence and offer curriculum that will enable autistic individuals to bring their gifts to the world. Whether they are working towards a high school diploma, taking college credits, or learning for fun and enrichment, our spellers engage with appropriate content that respects their intelligence and talents. We offer a wide range of options, form Literature to Music Theory to Fitness to Cooking!
You can see us in action by clicking on one of the videos below.
Spellers in Action
The videos below are examples of Spellers answering academic questions (from their respective coursework) with a communication partner.
Jack completed a Music Theory lecture and he answers questions about what he learned.
We do joint writing and literature together. The current poem is Beowulf, an old English epic poem. This is quick example of read aloud.
Joey answers questions about the text from Beowulf that was read aloud.
Joey was revising topics for The Speller Space Blog, a new endeavor the students have created.
Maude answers questions about the passage read from Beowulf.
Jack answers questions about the text Beowulf. One of the most interesting things we have learned in The Speller Space - is that "listening" does not require sitting.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Nelson Mandela
WE ARE ON A MISSION
TO CHANGE WHAT THE WORLD BELIEVES
ABOUT AUTISM
Our students have shared their feelings, thoughts, ideas and intelligence, that unequivocally proves the opposite of what society believes. They are competent, they are capable, they are empathic, and they are going to change the world with their unique gifts and talents. It is time to listen to them.
