Welcome to Speak Unique
Giving a voice to nonspeaking individuals using Spelling to Communicate
What is Spelling to Communicate?
Spelling to Communicate, or S2C, is a method that teaches nonspeaking individuals to communicate by pointing to letters on a board. S2C practices purposeful motor movement to strengthen the mind and body connection. The end goal is open communication; where the speller can express their thoughts, opinions, and ideas fluently on the boards.
Why is Spelling to Communicate effective?
Research shows about 65% of individuals with autism have apraxia; resulting in difficulty initiating, planning, and/or stopping their motor movements. Nonspeakers do understand everything, but there is a mind-body disconnect.
Spelling to Communicate effectively practices purposeful motor movement to strengthen the neuronal pathways in the brain to improve the mind-body connection. S2C advances through a motor and cognitive hierarchy. The motor hierarchy begins with larger stencil boards, then moves through a series of boards requiring more difficult motor movements. The cognitive hierarchy begins with answering basic questions and progresses to answers involving opinion and creative writing. S2C balances these motor-cognitive challenges while continuing to strengthen the mind-body connection.
About Speak Unique
Mission
Speak Unique's mission is to provide high-quality services to all nonspeaking individuals in order to reach open communication in addition to supporting their CRP (Communication Regulation Partner) to ensure spellers can openly communicate beyond their practitioner
About the Owner
My name is Elise Ryan, and I am a certified S2C practitioner and BCBA. I have been working with non-speaking and unreliably speaking individuals of all ages for fifteen years. I was introduced to Spelling to Communicate several years ago and was inspired to become a practitioner after seeing individuals communicate through S2C when other methods were unsuccessful. I am passionate about helping others and experiencing each success through S2C. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my cats, traveling, and getting lost in nature.
