Question 1

What is Spelling to Communicate (S2C)?

Accepted Answer

It's a method of communication that teaches nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliable speaking individuals the motor skills needed to communicate though pointing to letters on a letterboard (or a keyboard). So that nonspeakers can have access to share their thoughts, feelings, knowledge, and ideas.

Question 2

Who can benefit from S2C?

Accepted Answer

S2C is beneficial for nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliable speaking individuals. These individuals understand far more than they are able to express through speech and they deserve access to a reliable means of communication so that they can share their thoughts, feelings, ideas, and unique perspectives.

Question 3

What can I expect during an S2C session?

Accepted Answer

During an S2C session, we read an age-appropriate, engaging lesson and work on building purposeful motor skills through answering questions from the lesson on a letterboard. Each session is individualized, and motor prompting and support are adjusted based on the speller's motor skills and regulation.

Question 4

What if my child does not know the alphabet or how to spell?

Accepted Answer

That's okay! In S2C, we presume competence and use age-appropriate lessons regardless of a speller's ability to demonstrate academic skills. Nonspeaking individuals know more than they are able to show due to sensory and motor challenges. As I read the age appropriate lesson, I spell out more challenging words within the text and we work on building motor skills rather than testing whether a speller knows how to spell the answers.

Question 5

What does it mean to presume competence?

Accepted Answer

Presuming competence means believing in an individual's capabilities and providing age-appropriate learning opportunities, even if they cannot reliably demonstrate their knowledge. Because many nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliable speaking individuals are not able to show what they know, it is safer to presume competence than to underestimate their abilities.

Question 6

Can parents or caregivers participate?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Parents and caregivers are a vital part of the S2C process, and I begin training them in within the first few sessions. My goal is not only to teach the speller the S2C method, but also to train the people they interact with most often so they can communicate with the important people in their lives.

Question 7

What ages do you work with?

Accepted Answer

I work with individuals ages 4 and up, including children, teens, and adults.

Question 8

Where are sessions held?

Accepted Answer

I currently provide individualized, in-home S2C sessions in the Fort Worth area.

Debby Pachtman

S2C Practitioner in Fort Worth TX

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