- What is spelled communication?Spelled communication (aka spelling) is a motor-based approach to communication for non-speaking, minimally speaking and unreliably speaking children and adults (referred to collectively as non-speakers throughout this website), where individuals poke or point to letters on a letterboard or keyboard to spell out what they want to say.The Spellers Method approach to spelled communication is based on the understanding that speech is a complex motor act, and that non-speakers have cognitive capacity for language but experience significant motor planning challenges that make speech unreliable or unavailable.Spellers Method recognises that most non-speakers experience whole body apraxia, which is a difficulty with planning and executing intentional motor movements. The approach therefore shifts communication from speech (fine motor output) to larger gross motor movements (hinging from the shoulder) to poke or point to letters on a low-tech letterboard. This shift offers non-speakers an achievable means of robust, reliable communication.For many non-speakers, minimal speakers, and unreliable speakers, spelled communication has opened the door to fully express their unique thoughts, feelings and wishes for the first time.As a certified Spellers Method Provider, my practice is rooted in presuming competence, which means I approach each individual as capable of learning and understanding, while recognising that motor challenges may impact on their expressive demonstration of understanding.Sessions are therefore age-appropriate and person-centred and I speak directly to each speller about session goals and progress.
- Who is spelled communication for?
Spelled communication is for non-speaking, minimally speaking and unreliably speaking children and adults. Many spellers have complex autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other syndromes.
It is recommended to start from around 8 years plus for maximum success. If your child is younger than 8, please reach out to discuss what's best for your child and family. There's a lot you can do in preparation if they are younger.
- How does spelled communication work?Through structured motor coaching to support the development of intentional, purposeful motor planning for communication, and a carefully sequenced motor-cognitive progression, individuals are supported to develop increasing independence in spelled communication.As motor planning becomes practiced and consistent, individuals progress toward open communication (i.e., expressing complex thoughts, feelings, views and wishes) and, in some cases, move from low-tech letter boards to keyboards with voice output.As a Spellers Method Provider, I recognise that many non-speakers experience sensory processing differences and ocular motor challenges that can impact regulation and engagement. Sessions are therefore tailored to each individual’s unique sensory-motor profile and vision needs.Co-regulation strategies to support engagement and reduce distress are incorporated and where necessary, referrals are made to other trained professionals for specialist assessment and guidance.A core component of Spellers Method is parent/carer coaching and empowerment. In my sessions, I support family members to develop skills as communication partners, with the long-term goal of increasing independence and reducing reliance on professional input.
- How to get startedSpellers Method works best for individuals and families who are well prepared and understand what’s involved.I recommend arranging a free 20 minute call with me to ask any questions you may have and to discuss your individual needs and what’s required to maximise success.You can email me on hello@becfowler.co.uk
- How to Maximise SuccessIt’s recommended to start spelling with a trained provider who can assess your family member’s individual needs and tailor an approach to support you and them to succeed.Most families aim for one session per week with a provider and practice for 15+ minutes x 3+ times per week at home.If you’re new to spelled communication, I recommend checking out the following resources to learn more about whole body apraxia, and presuming competence and to prepare yourself for the commitment and process of learning to spell:Watch Spellers free on YouTube,Read The Spellers Guidebook: Practical Advice for Parents and Students by DawnMarie Gaivin and Dana Johnson.Join Spellers Community on Facebook
- What to expect from sessions with me?I offer in-person spelled communication sessions for children and adults, in Worcester, UK.Sessions are typically 55 minutes long, incorporating 45+ minutes spelling and time for questions and discussion.Sessions are rooted in presuming competence and focus on co-regulation and developing foundational motor skills required to spell to communicate.Initial sessions involve overall assessment and vision screening to determine board selection and any accommodations required to tailor my approach to individual needs.Parents/communication partners are coached from early on to support parallel progress and replicating skills at home.The current cost per session is £75. Some families seek funding from their local authority. Please reach out if this is something you’d like more information about.
- What does ‘presuming competence' mean?
Presuming competence means presuming that a child or adult is capable of learning and understanding even when they can not show their understanding due to motor challenges that may limit their ability to express their knowledge or understanding.
As a Spellers Method Provider, my approach is rooted in presuming competence. All sessions are therefore age appropriate and I speak directly to the speller about their goals and progress.
- Does my child/family member have to be able to spell first?
No! Your family member likely already knows how to spell (and read) but due to whole-body apraxia has not been able to demonstrate their ability until now. Many spellers around the globe have learned to use spelled communication without being taught to spell first. We start with presuming competence.
- What is 'whole-body apraxia'?
Whole-body apraxia is often explained as a 'brain-body disconnect'. The person knows what they want to do but their body does not carry out the movement they want to make and sometimes appears to have a mind of its own e.g., a speller may walk away when they are interested in engaging.
Many open spellers have spelled statements like, 'don't listen to my 'mouth words' or my body. I want to spell but my body betrays me by walking away'.
You can learn more about whole body apraxia by visiting Dr Dana Johnson's channel on YouTube.
- My child/family member can type YouTube video titles, can we start with typing?
No, typing well practiced familiar words and phrases into YouTube or a browser is a different motor-cognitive skill to expressing high cognitive thoughts, feelings, views and opinions in full sentences.
We start all new spellers at the beginning of the motor continuum (typically on 3 boards that have the 26 letters of the alphabet spread across them), and we work on consolidating motor planning skills systematically moving up the motor-cognitive continuum until they reach 'open' communication (typically using a board, laminate or keyboard with all 26 letters). This ensures we build robust motor planning pathways to pave the way for high cognitive expression.
- What is 'open communication'?
'Open communication' or being an 'open' speller, is when an individual can poke, point to or type words and sentences to express their unique thoughts, feelings and views, without any influential prompts.
- What is prompting and why use it?
Prompting is about supporting the development of foundational motor planning pathways . In the beginning (acquisition phase) all five types of prompting (gestural, verbal directional, verbal initiation, verbal continuation and verbal eye prompts) are used to support the speller to develop motor skills for spelled communication.
As the speller’s motor skills and accuracy grow, prompts are faded to using only non-influential prompts - such as initiation, continuation and eye prompts as needed in the application phase.
Fading prompts in the application phase is important to protect the reliability of the spelled communication by ensuring it’s not influenced by the Communication Partner.
- What if my child or family member is injurious or highly dysregulated?
A core element of Spellers Method sessions is co-regulation and tailoring strategies to support success.
I ask for detailed information about your child/family member in the intake form to build a picture of their unique sensory motor differences, vision needs and how best to support them. I use this information to guide session structure, board selection and accommodations needed to meet their needs.
I use continuous observation and assessment to respond in the moment and ensure safety and progress.
I recognise that whole-body apraxia and sensory processing differences contribute to regulation and I take an approach that respects the speller and presumes competence in their desire to learn to spell and engage in sessions.
I believe that listening doesn't have a look and use motor coaching and regulation strategies to support individuals to gain control over their movements to engage as fully as possible.
If you are concerned, please reach out to discuss your family member's needs.
- What is motor coaching?
Motor coaching is where verbal prompting, consisting of 'body part' plus 'action', is used to support a person to move their body intentionally. Sometimes it is also helpful to model the movement or offer tactile prompts (e.g., tapping the body part that needs to move) to support the person to begin and carry out the movement.
Motor coaching is helpful for individuals with whole body apraxia who find initiating, executing and inhibiting intentional movement challenging.
Spellers learn the skills required for spelling through motor coaching.
