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Spellers Freedom Foundation
Приєднався 11 січ 2023
Spellers Freedom Foundation is a 501c3 public charity whose mission is to empower every nonspeaker to flourish via access to communication, community-building, and scholarships.
What if everything you thought you knew about autism was wrong?
Spellers The Movie, a Spellers Freedom Foundation film, challenges conventional wisdom regarding a group relegated to society’s margins: nonspeakers with autism, whom most “experts” believe are cognitively disabled. Based on the overwhelming response to our book, UNDERESTIMATED, we made this documentary to show and share with the world the joy of seeing these nonspeakers communicate in their own words through spelling. Spellers awakens teachers, schools, therapists, and society at large to the reality that we may have underestimated the abilities of millions of people worldwide. Our film is a heartfelt and authentic story of perseverance and a call to challenge the world’s view of nonspeakers.
What if everything you thought you knew about autism was wrong?
Spellers The Movie, a Spellers Freedom Foundation film, challenges conventional wisdom regarding a group relegated to society’s margins: nonspeakers with autism, whom most “experts” believe are cognitively disabled. Based on the overwhelming response to our book, UNDERESTIMATED, we made this documentary to show and share with the world the joy of seeing these nonspeakers communicate in their own words through spelling. Spellers awakens teachers, schools, therapists, and society at large to the reality that we may have underestimated the abilities of millions of people worldwide. Our film is a heartfelt and authentic story of perseverance and a call to challenge the world’s view of nonspeakers.
UTV - Episode 1: EDUCATION REVELATION
Spellers, educators, parents and neurotypical peers deliver dramatic insights into the world of Special Education as they recount personal experiences. Education Advocates Maddie and Elliot find their common interest worthy of navigating a first date. Visit underestimated.tv to follow, subscribe, and learn more.
Переглядів: 423
Відео
Underestimated TV Docuseries - Trailer
Переглядів 3825 місяців тому
Embark on an exhilarating journey beyond SPELLERS THE MOVIE, as filmmakers unveil a riveting new series that delves deeper into the lives of nonspeaking Spellers. "Underestimated: The Heroic Rise of Nonspeaking Spellers" takes you on a compelling exploration of courage, resilience, and triumph against adversity. Visit underestimated.tv to subscribe to the series which begins 5/26/24. In this gr...
Golden Road To Communication Launch Party 4-26-24
Переглядів 2126 місяців тому
The Golden Road to Communication Launch Party Virtual Event This event celebrated a groundbreaking collaboration between four remarkable Spellers and Golden Road Brewing. Together, they have created an exclusive beer named "Get On Board." This Hazy IPA is a generously hopped hazy IPA brewed with real citrus, showcasing flavors of juicy orange, eureka lemon and subtle peach. At a 6.5% ABV, the p...
SPELLERS
Переглядів 79 тис.6 місяців тому
Inspired by the book Underestimated, the new full-length documentary SPELLERS challenges conventional wisdom regarding a group relegated to society’s margins: nonspeakers with autism, who most “experts” believe are cognitively disabled. As the film opening asks, “What if we’ve been wrong…about every single one of them?” SPELLERS answers that question, in convincing fashion, through the stories ...
Accolades for PAT NOTARO, creator of SPELLERS the movie
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Accolades for PAT NOTARO, creator of SPELLERS the movie
Beyond Boards - Spellers University
Переглядів 1,6 тис.Рік тому
Link: spellers.com/spellers-university
Film Q&A: Film origin & partial cast shoutout
Переглядів 328Рік тому
Film Q&A: Film origin & partial cast shoutout
Film Q&A: Spellers, What Do You Want to See Happen?
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Film Q&A: Spellers, What Do You Want to See Happen?
Film Q&A: Mission of Spellers Revolution
Переглядів 327Рік тому
Film Q&A: Mission of Spellers Revolution
Film Q&A: Is this an evidenced based practice?
Переглядів 307Рік тому
Film Q&A: Is this an evidenced based practice?
Film Q&A: Can SLP's support clients who are Spellers?
Переглядів 277Рік тому
Film Q&A: Can SLP's support clients who are Spellers?
This is an amazing documentary! Spelling turns out to only be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the intellect and abilities of some if not all of these truly significant human beings. To find out more, I encourage you all the listen to “The Telepathy Tapes” Podcast.
I need a practitioner for my son in Northern Illinois ASAP! I am amazed by this!
Yes!! My guy learned to type 12 years ago. Life is good.
@mshart-ke4in where did you find a tutor for this?
@@SamanthaSweetAnne it was the late and great Dr Rosemary Crossley who taught him. He now types independently. Just research spell 2 communicate and you might find someone. All the best for your journey.
@mshart-ke4in Thank you!
The future is not scary at all I love the future
ua-cam.com/video/2FAV1sgP3qg/v-deo.htmlsi=kpYAebg3FCJqSs6f
Teaching these poor victims to spell to communicate is a wonderful start. I strongly disagree with the use of spelling boards and taking the fine motor skills of their "digits," as their fingers are referred to in this film, and placing it in the gross motor skills of their arms because it is easier for them. Like velcro fastening shoes and the iPad are to "autistics," this is just another lazy addictive crutch the "autism" industry thrives on. To anyone who would argue it's just a stepping stone, it is a delaying and unneccessary one to make it easier and more profitable for the therapist, not the victim. Please stop underestimating their abilities. My daughter was non-verbal since her first year intramuscular dermis punctures and deeply on the "spectrum," but I foresaw the additional dangers these underestimating occupational therapies were hiding in the name of compassion. It was a seemingly impossible task, but I refused to acquiesce and relent. Sure it frustrated her, but I forced my daughter to use her fine motor skills to perform the tasks that require fine motor skills. I forced her to read and write, to track and catch small objects, and to tie a bow. The WORST thing a parent can do to their already injured and disabled child is to make their lives easier and more convenient. At 18 years old, my daughter is still behaviorally akin to a three year old, but she can read and write with a pen, and perform fine motor athletic skills because I demanded it. I have not yet recovered my daughter from the depths of hejj her childhood doctor and I sentenced her to, but when I do, she will have excellent use of her gross AND fine motor skills instantly leaping further ahead than many of today's normies.
I have a question, can spelling on a tablet /I pad do the same?
Isn’t it easyer to use an iPad to spell for me with my autism I can find the letter fast on an iPad I can’t see them well on this
The only reason ASHA is anti S2C is because of money. They would have to change everything about how they handle autism. Anybody that spends 5 minutes with a speller would lose their skepticism unless they have alterior motives. They care more about money than helping. They'd rather leave tens of thousands of people trapped in their minds than spend money on changing.
You have no idea the impact this has and will make. You are so amazing. Wow. Thank you! Wow, now we can communicate with them and learn so much from these individuals. We can meet theur needs and learnbwho they are. I always felt they were trapped in a body where their conscious cannot control it as most of us can.
Modern day snake oil. Heartbreaking to watch.
How do I start with my son?
Start by reading more about it: read Underestimated by JB Handley and/or The Spellers Guidebook by Dawnmarie Gaivin and Dana Johnson
I grew up without any help for aspergers whatsoever. Nobody knew what it was back then. My parents didnt like me. they didnt hide the contempt and annoyance on their faces. They just wanted me out of their lives and for everything to be over with. How come you never see parents like that in documentaries? seeing the uber-supportive parents in this is upsetting.
Very sorry to hear that William.
They are well educated, well-read, financially stable, have a solid relationship, and have support systems in place. They aren't helpless and waiting for someone to fix it for them. They were probably like this and from families like this long before they had children. Having solid foundations in your life means you have more ability to cope when things are hard.
@@wendybeach1036 begone troll
wonderful!!!
I enjoyed watching this. People need to stop being deliberately ignorant about the many ways to communicate.
🙌🏾🙌🏽🙌🏿
Question: why are the facilitators holding and moving the tablets? Can't they just use larger tablets atached to the table?
Some go on to do this. There are motor challenges and other differences that we don’t fully understand yet. There is research that showed (using video eye tracking) the typers look at the letters before they moved their arm to touch them.
This was amazing! Thank you for opening my eyes to understand so much more than I knew previously about the need for communication and this amazing opportunity that needs to be shared 🫶 The lives of these young people are Beautifully shared, captured and now can change the world 🌎 Revolutionary indeed!!!
My youngest brother is learning to communicate through this incredible method. I think it’s taken me a while to watch this documentary, to start watching it that is, and it wasn’t because I didn’t know how to click play. It takes us who are neurotypical time over invisible hurdles to do all sorts of things. I’m so proud of him for achieving this breakthrough and for my parents who have pursued this and so many other methods before this to accomplish this breakthrough in communicating with him and even each other. Love this, thank you thank you for sharing
How does one learn?
This is one of the most amazing documentaries I have ever seen.
There is only evidence that facilitated communication doesn't work. And story's of people who want to believe that it does. Read the enormous amount of evidence on the English Wikipedia, and never do this kind of communication without proper testing!
Thank you to all the Spellers and communication partners blazing the trail for the future of nonspeakers. More evidence and testing is coming I'm sure but to do these tests you need to have people who spell to communicate. I implore you to dig deeper than Wikipedia. Spelling to communicate methods have come a long way in recent years. Look to the Spellers and learn from them...they are amazing! Presuming competence and teaching nonspeakers to learn the motor plans for the 26 letters of the alphabet is not harming anyone, it is changing their lives!!
Episode 213 of the podcast Autism Parenting Secrets is very informative.
Why not place these letterboards on a steady surface instead of holding it? What if the fascilitator would be blindfolded? What if the fascilatator does not give verbal cues? That would take away the possibility of influencing the communicator. Fascilitated communication does not give non verbal people a voice, it takes it away. There are better ways to communicate now.
You should really look into apraxia and brain science. The Spellers Guidebook is a great resource that explains the reasons the communication regulation partner holds the boards....all biology/science reasoning due to fine motor difficulties including ocular difficulties. Many advanced spellers, who started out on the held letterboards, do eventually type on a keyboard held in a stand.
Listen to the podcast episode 213 of Autism Parenting Secrets.
@@srl1978 l'm not talking about autism, l'm talking about fascilitated communication in general
Everything has to do with motor control, eventually they can type on a keyboard in a cradle but that requires a high level of motor control. It just takes a lot of time and practice to get there. Get the Speller's Handbook or talk to a practitioner, the methodology makes total sense once you understand it.
Where are they giving verbal cues? They never did this. They just say what letters they’ve typed and read out what they’ve typed once words are formed. Then if there is a distraction they are reminded of where they are at.
While I'm extremely happy to have been recommended to watch this video, and it has brought so much awareness. Informed me in ways NO doctor or "program" has thus far.... I am also sad by the thought that this type of educational information is not made to be more public and common knowledge to the masses! I've seen ridiculous celebrity gossip videos get more views and comments than this one. Autism families are their own community and advocate and inform each other. That is how I found this video. NOT by a therapist, teacher, doctor or by "the system"! I will share this video to as many I know to spread the awareness & pray that someday this type of education and information is world wide as well implemented in EVERY educational system.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
This made me cry. Also, I see ads on youtube and elsewhere for making money online, a new type of cooking pan, or programs to get in shape… every day, every ten minutes or so. Yet I don’t see any news about this Spellers program besides this video. WHY?! Maybe it takes time and money, and I would understand if you wanted to keep it honest and clear, uncluttered by some business raptors ready to swoop in and market it. Or maybe not in a hurry for academic snobs eager to compete and critique for the sake of getting their opinion heard, to stay relevant and keep that pay as high as ever. In this country, you should be able to get some serious sponsors, with deep pockets to help this word get out. This idea and approach needs to be typed and shouted to the world. There must be many, many people that have no idea that Spellers exists.
This is a godsend! My 2 year old son who is profoundly autistic just started spelling last month. We're so thankful for this method to communicate with our toddler. Today he spelled perfectly This exact phrase: "mom, I think what resides in me is more important than my outer self. Thank you for allowing me to communicate." Praise you all for this. We're so grateful!
how do u make a 2 year old spell? where does one start ?
@@shakeenidaYou don't make a 2 year old spell. You expose a 2 year old to literature and language that is age appropriate and continue that as the child ages even if speech output doesn't progress. The letterboards are introduced somewhere in the 4-6 year old range with young non speakers.
@@shakeenidajust have books around, they teach themself (see Professor Margaret Beauman (Harvard))
This documentary has already changed my life!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Amazing... my 4-year-old baby girl is autistic... this video had me weeping from the start... there is hope for her and her future...I will look into this soon. Thank you.
I’ve worked with autistic children and teens for over 30 years, the majority of that time in the school system. I’ve used every single communication method there is, and I’m extremely familiar with the challenges of apraxia. There is no reason for a facilitator to be holding the stencil- in fact, a moving stencil would make it harder for someone with apraxia. Autistic people are also excellent at memorization and following patterns. I worked with a boy who typed into a device to communicate- but the only things he typed were pages and chapters of a random story. I found out that his parents had given him a random novel to practice his typing, and he had memorized the entire thing. When he made a request using the device, it consisted of a one word sentence, often misspelled. I think the “spellers” in this movie have just memorized the patterns of the words to common questions about being non-speaking, etc . The woman at 32.00? I believe she really was feeling sad. She didn’t enjoy the spelling activity. Also notice this “apraxic” woman had no problems with the sticker puzzle she was doing.
So what about the spellers who started with someone holding the boards and have progressed, with much practice, to typing from a keyboard on the cradle (not held by a person)?
The woman (Madison) may have been feeling sad at the moment of filming but that is just one session of so many. In fact she is seen again in the follow up series called Underestimated Episode 1. Not only is she happy and smiling, she is using a keyboard which means she has kept at it and is progressing in her spelling skills. She is discussing dating with a fellow speller.
This film was made to introduce spelling to communicate methods to those who haven't ever heard of it before and make people start to rethink their perception of the intelligence of non speakers. There is so much more to spelling and the brain science behind why it makes sense than this film shows. I encourage you to follow some spellers on social media, read books or blogs written by spellers, read The Spellers Guidebook. Spellers who have progressed to open, fluent spelling are not just answering basic, generic questions, they are taking college courses, writing about their experiences, advocating for nonspeakers. This is all unique communication, not memorized scripts....why?...because they received the motor planning training as a foundation that is taught through spelling to communicate methods.
@@srl1978 What concerns me is the “communication” is always about S2C or being Autistic, and the language used isn’t typical of a teen of their age. What’s missing from the S2C communicators is repetitive speech, scripting or talking about their special interests. They don’t seem to talk about what they want to do or what they like… and that is something speaking Autistic people love to do. They don’t even use any “yes” or “no” answers. Do you really think Sid answered “can you control your thoughts” with that “I am rudderless” monologue? That was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t 100% guarantee that Sid would not be able to point to the rudder on a picture of a boat, let alone understand its function. I feel terrible for Sid, he’s living his life trapped in his mother's delusion.
@@hilaryb8807I do believe Sid understands the language he uses as he spells. I believe this because he has a motor impairment not an intellectual one. Speech and language are separate parts of the brain. Speech production uses complex fine motor movements working together. Language (understanding what you hear and read) is cognitive. Due to apraxia there is a brain body disconnect. Speech is affected but not cognition. Nonspeakers and unreliable speakers have been soaking up language their whole life and until s2c was introduced didn't have the motor skills to show what they know. Teen and adult spellers have said (for example) that they no longer love Thomas the train as much as it may seem because they are stuck in a motor loop. They are absolutely talking about things that interest them. Yes and no questions can feed into impulsive motor movements, also a reason predictive text prompts are avoided. Spelling one letter at a time makes the movements more purposeful. We can agree to disagree but I encourage anyone reading this keep learning about spellers and learn from them.
For more information on motor planning, apraxia, presuming competence.....basically why spelling methods make sense according to brain science, read The Spellers Guidebook by Dawnmarie Gaivin and Dana Johnson. It also gives advice on how to start this spelling journey with your nonspeaker or minimal speaker.
Excellent book Start with the chapter that is advice FROM SPELLERS to Spellers and parents 🩵
So I understand that there is a disconnect between the brain and the body’s ability to perform. Totally get that. My question though is….Why does there have to be someone holding this stencil or keyboard? If it needs to be at a certain angle to make it accessible for these learners, then why can’t it be on a stand at a particular height so they can access it? I u destined the facilitator gives verbal prompts to help them attend or stay on track. Couldn’t that still be done without touching the actual device? This sounds great however, there isn’t enough research available to stop me from thinking that there could be help coming from the facilitators intentionally or unintentionally. This sounds like facilitated communication repackaged.
There are spellers who advance to use mounted keyboards....they show some in this film. These same spellers have said it was their words when they spelled with someone holding the device.
I'm not an expert on apraxic bodies, but what I've observed is that some bodies are moving A LOT, especially in the beginning. It would be hard to make a stand that could adjust to each speller's movements in real time. To top that off, most have never been able to tell someone things like "Sometimes I see doubles of letters" or "when I look at a page the letters move". Very early on, my son was spelling short open-ended responses to questions from a lesson when the lightbulb went off in my head and I stopped the CRP and asked my son "You spell so perfectly! Do you read?" (Until that point, I had been drilling him with short sight words.) "Totally. Sitting still is the hard part." The Communication & Regulation Partner is usually the first person in their whole life who understands their apraxia and how it effects speech and eyes. The CRP adjusts to the speller- they know whether they need to speak fast and be animated or whether to slow and tone it down. They learn the patterns/motor loops that the speller can get stuck in. It's like a dance partner. If you finally find someone who gets you and knows how to help you, you would want them around. Could you do it without them? Maybe, at some point, but you might not want to.
As you are well aware, many spellers move to mounted keyboards and iPads. Further, many type with no person talking to them--while device is mounted.
absolutly amazing
Uma pena que o vídeo não está disponível para tradução automática em outros idiomas. Exclui-se muitas pessoas deste conteúdo.
Wow
My non-speaking daughter is 6 and loves letters. She already uses beginning letters to communicate. For example "h" is often Hello when somebody greets her. "s" is usually "sing" and "z" zoo etc.
I’m sorry, I have to use the “R” word. To think that you have to have some kind of scientific double-blind experiment with placebo and peer review for evidence-based medicine/practice here is RETARDED. And I mean that in the harshest terms. EBM is for INTERVENTIONS and is to save money. To check for efficacy is also part of the saving money. S2C IS NOT AN INTERVENTION. It is a COMMUNICATION TOOL. The efficacy is that these kids ARE SPEAKING. Do you think that Samuel Morse got together a committee and used a double-blind experiment with two groups of subjects to design Morse Code? If he had done that, it would have never happened. It’s a communication tool when verbal or written speech is not available. Language is not an intervention, and the means to understand it is called communication. No drugs or electrical devices are needed. Whoever sees this and thinks they have to be convinced by some kind of science is in need of a psychological intervention, preferably evidence-based. (Because communication in plain sight is not working here.)
Like one of the spellers here spelled ‘JUST OPEN YOUR EYES!’ This is real, no gimmicks, no harm - in fact the opposite!! Spelling is for non speakers like ASL in for non-hearing Get on board! It’s going to be a revolution!!
Oh my gosh how can the kids keep their train of thought with her constantly saying “and” between each letter? It’s so amazing but that part drives me crazy.
My son is a speller - and there is something about the pace and rhythm that keeps their bodies going. And after you start seeing them spell complicated words and thoughts you di t even notice the ‘then’ or ‘after’ or the calling out of letters It’s a dance
We've been at this a few years. My speller prefers that I don't do that unless he is having trouble focusing (calming his body, emotions, or still warming up his eyes). He's okay with me calling out the letters after he pokes them or having people look over his shoulder when he spells. Everyone is different though. My son can be singing a song and spelling something completely different- it's wild.
I don’t say ‘and’ or anything, when I assist, I just say the letters as typed and words when formed. But we were taught via a different method.
you can tell no one in this comment section has had a university education 👀
Only you, apparently. You are knowingly forwarding a flawed argument. As you are so much more educated than everyone in the comments, (despite many of us holding masters degrees and PhDs), do you think maybe it is you who are suffering from the dunning-kruger effect? I would give this consideration, as you seem to be clinging to a cognitive bias, and are overestimating your understanding of what would be helpful for nonspeaking individuals. Or, you can continue on your current path, and deny full communication , simply because your education ensures you know better. Even understanding how movement differences affect communication would be a win, regardless of whether you adopt spelling. Perhaps this knowledge can be used to develop novel modes of communication--modes that fit in with your worldview.
This is very controversial and not backed by science. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has taken a rare hard-and-fast formal stance against these techniques and state they can do very serious harm. People watching this please do some research and dont be fooled, google RPM/Spelling to Communicate and it's dangers, don't subject your loved ones to harmful pseudoscience! Untested techniques, like RPM, prey upon vulnerable families when effective and appropriate interventions already exist. Please consult a speech-language pathologist if you can.
Yes do diligent research! Science and best practices are improved upon over time. This film is just the tip of the iceberg! Spelling is a complex process backed by brain science. Please read The Spellers Guidebook for great explanations of why spelling makes sense for those with apraxic bodies.
If anyone is interested in a rebuttal of ASHAs stance by JBHandley, search "ASHA tells 50 million nonspeakers, you aren't capable"
For a speech language pathologist perspective that is pro spelling methods search for the Oct 23. 2023 podcast called: Beyond words: Why some autistic people are non-speaking (The Autism Dad Podcast).
You guys, I'm so glad I didn't listen to this ^^^ kind of advice with my nonspeaking teenager. Because I was weighing the risk that this commenter talks about, and I realized spelling lessons only posed a danger to ME as a dad. I would be disappointed again. But as for my son, what harm could it do? This wasn't a drug he was injecting in his body, or a therapy that would twist his limbs. It was literally... THE ALPHABET. He would be pointing at letters. You guys, that's it. It's 26 letters and a pencil. Why are people so afraid of the alphabet? I realized that even if my son didn't have some big breakthrough, the worst that would happen is his motor skills would improve a bit. They did improve. Dramatically. Now, he is spelling not only with his teacher, but with me and my wife, and the lady who works with him on a daily basis. Four different people (not counting the team of doctors he met with). If there was some secret to tip him off to what letter we wanted him to go to, that would be a STELLAR prank, and would signal an even greater level of intelligence than spelling would. I mean, the subtleties of picking up on those cues? That's Penn & Teller stuff right there. But no. We don't signal him. He sits down and points at the letters. Just an hour ago, we were talking with him about this film, and he said the following: "This movie saved my life." How could he say that? Because he was locked inside himself and supremely depressed. Since we saw this movie and pursued spelling, his entire countenance has changed, as well as his future. So this commenter talks about the risks... what is a greater risk? That a kid points to letters on a letter board and can't do it? Or that a competent, intelligent person is presumed to be incompetent and unintelligent HIS ENTIRE LIFE, and is not allowed the tools to break out, simply because UA-cam member H4CK41D says it's too risky? We made our choice, and it's one of the best things we've ever done. (And if you want to hold onto ASHA's outdated theory that a spelling partner is doing the work, that's fine. I get it. Just know that the minute the kid starts typing independently (as they do in this film, and as my son is moving toward), you've got to give up that theory, too, and admit you've been wrong this whole time.)
@@jhague78🩵ditto! For my son as well- life changing Well said and so happy your son is a speller !!! 🩵
Can't wait to find somewhere closer that we can go for this help! I know he knows so much!
My mother-in-law's friend's son just opened! He's 31 ❤ praise the Lord!
How?
That woman lives in a fantasy world shes off her rocker .Its all so wrong .I dont believe a word she says .
There are many problematic issues with this, but overall our non-speaking students have been largely left behind in so many ways. This is starting to change very slowly in research for non speakers, though community based intervention services and caregiver supports are SORELY lacking and completely fall off in adulthood. I recommend reading the full statement from ASHA. 1. There is uncertainty regarding who does the spelling. With RPM, you can’t tell whether the words being spelled out belong to the autistic child-or to their aide. The aide holding the alphabet board may move the board unintentionally in the direction of the letter that they think the child should select next. This is called facilitator bias, a documented phenomenon in which a helper unintentionally influences the message produced. Aides might well have good intentions, but in using RPM, they may unknowingly insert their own assumptions and thoughts into the message. A simple way to reduce facilitator bias is for the aide to place the alphabet board on a table or mount instead of holding it in the air. 2. RPM creates dependence on another person, thus preventing independent communication. The primary goal of speech-language intervention is independent communication, which is a basic human right. Independence is critical: It ensures that the words, thoughts, and feelings an individual expresses are indeed their own and not the words of another person. 3. RPM lacks evidence of effectiveness. There is no research showing that RPM is effective in producing independent communication. Indeed, there is active resistance by RPM proponents to conducting research on the technique. They claim that research may put children in stressful testing situations-and that the process of conducting research is insulting or demeaning. From a scientific standpoint, this avoidance of appropriate testing of the technique, and this resistant attitude toward examining RPM, raises serious red flags about the technique. 4. RPM holds the potential for harm. Children and their families can incur serious harm from the use of RPM. They risk wasting months to years on an unproven method when effective and appropriate interventions already exist. Untested techniques, like RPM, often prey upon vulnerable families. Families also risk losing money and time-which may already be scarce-that cannot be retrieved. Parents are often asked to travel long distances to attend expensive workshops to learn the technique. 5. RPM is similar to a discredited and dangerous technique called Facilitated Communication (FC). FC is a pseudoscientific technique that has been widely discredited in a large body of published, peer-reviewed, scientific research. FC has resulted in serious harm to people with disabilities and their families, including false allegations obtained through FC of sexual abuse and maltreatment. When is the use of a letter board appropriate? Children and adults with limited oral speech may use a keyboard to type out messages. When used independently, letter, word, and picture boards are valid examples of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). AAC encompasses a variety of low-tech communication boards and high-tech speech-generating devices that help a person communicate. There are several ways to use these systems, including the use of eye gaze if the person cannot use their hands to access the system. SLPs are the trained professionals who can help people with severe speech and language difficulties find the best AAC option for them. www.asha.org/slp/asha-warns-against-rapid-prompting-method-or-spelling-to-communicate/
Thankfully thousands of spellers haven't listened to ASHA and are continuing to spell through s2c or spellers method. When you see it in action in real time you can't unsee it. Spellers have advocated for health concerns that they couldn't articulate with any other method. It is truly amazing to witness this revolution happening.
To read a rebuttal on ASHAs stance, search JB Handleys response to ASHA
I’m not the expert here, but ASHA needs to update their opinion - even in the statement copied into your reply states that some can communicate ‘with eye gaze’ ….. well …. There is a study that used eye tracking to prove the letters selected by spellers were first found WITH their EYES. And those eye tracking devices are A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE and not as portable as a spelling board or laminate or wireless keyboard But I’m just a parent of a speller who stated “AUTISM IS NOT A BEHAVIORAL OR COGNITIVE ISSUE, ITS A MOTOR ISSUE”. He has also told us thru spelling “I’VE BEEN MISUNDERSTOOD MY ENTIRE LIFE. PEOPLE ARE FINALLY GETTING A GLIMPSE INTO MY BEAUTIFUL MIND. I MIGHT BE SILENT BUT I NEVER STOPPED TALKING.”
@@judystoltz234 that’s great about your son! 100% agree that the motor impact of autism is huge and not well understood. Im a parent too and am VERY familiar with the motor impact of autism. There are numerous other options that are not tainted by the very real and complicated history of FC and RPM. Low tech Eye gaze boards are used often for people who cannot physically select a letter but the difference is that it is mounted or if held up the board is not floating around and moving. Eye gaze technology is now an accessibility feature on iPads and many laptops so it’s not really that out of touch any more. That study was open access and very small. I think larger studies and identifying characteristics of individuals who are successful is a great idea and really working to increase independent access and ensure facilitator bias is not happening. I think it’s worth hearing the concerns of ASHA and other professional organizations and others and thinking critically rather than exclaiming this a cure all revolution.
@@speechme4216 Research apraxia and how it affects an individual's ability to intentionally move their bodies. Talk to a practitioner so they can explain why they do what they do, it all has to do with motor planning and motor control, they are just teaching a motor skill. Once you understand it it makes perfect sense. Mindlessly repeating an organisation's stance without investigating the methodology doesn't help anyone. If you don't know anything about it, which it's clear you don't, then don't give your opinion as if you're an expert on it. Imagine you might be wrong.
the ‘cost’ of our non-speaking population is more than anyone can fathom State/federal and insurance money has been paying for 1000s of hours of ABA, SPEECH, OT and other therapies PER INDIVIDUAL not to mention RESPIT and other services to ‘help’ parents - often with little progress, yet these are considered to be ‘working’ ?!? My son after less than 100 hrs of learning to use spelling boards was able to ‘SPEAK HIS MIND’ and spell to us that he WANTED MORE FROM LIFE and stop going to his day program learning life skills The spellers in this movie have SHOWN that this works - they show their intelligence, thoughtful replies, sense of humor, personalities - They are the Spellers and do not have the presumed cognitive issues that came with their diagnosis of autism. AND you can see how hard some have to work to control their body. Research apraxia and dyspraxia THIS is truly life changing for them and their families. THIS is not a Hollywood production This is real life, real people, and unedited Why deny this population the option to try? And to choose their preferred form of communication? ASL and Braille were not initially accepted, spelling boards is real communication too!
What is the keyboard / monitor layout used by the young man? I am unable to find it although it looks simple enough to duplicate with an ipad and a simple keyboard.
Most people who spell use a standard qwerty keyboard layout. The only other possibility is alphabetical order.
Episode 1 of the Underestimated series, sequel to the Spellers documentary, is now out. It focuses on the educational system.
What is it called and where can we find it Sir?
Truly a breakthrough for our unforgiving worlds!
Any connections in Melbourne Australia ?
There is google spell 2 connect she is in Donvale
Where can i get a talking keyboard as shown with Evan
ua-cam.com/video/_XCVYfmvCQE/v-deo.html
im here looking for answers and left in tears. thanks guys youre awesome
Why have none of these Parents Lobbied Congress....??????
I think several of the speller's just went to capital hill.