CRP Training

Fostering agency and autonomy

The S2C Communication Regulation Partner (CRP) Training Program was created to make affordable, high-quality, standardized CRP training accessible to families, practitioners, and support teams around the world.

CRP Training is completed under the supervision and guidance of a Certified S2C Practitioner. This partnership and guidance is essential. CRPs do not work independently and do not initiate communication instruction for new spellers. Their role is to support communication access ethically and consistently, guided by a practitioner trained to work with nonspeaking individuals across ages, profiles, and support needs.

This program provides clear, structured instruction grounded in the Spelling to Communicate (S2C) framework. It strengthens daily support, promotes ethical practice, and helps ensure that nonspeakers have regulated, responsive partners who are prepared to support access to communication.

What is
a CRP?

A Communication Regulation Partner (CRP) is someone who has received coaching to assist an individual who is spelling using letterboards.

This individual could be a parent, sibling, aide, or professional who is following the guidance of an S2C Practitioner to support the specific speller.

Who is CRP Training for?

The S2C CRP Training Program is designed for parents, family members, siblings, aides, paraprofessionals, caregivers, support staff, and others who serve as Communication Regulation Partners for nonspeaking individuals.

CRPs are the people who show up every day to help nonspeakers communicate, advocate for themselves, and participate fully in their communities. When CRPs are well-trained, communication becomes more consistent, respectful, and effective.

Every nonspeaker deserves access to communication partners who understand how to support regulation, presumption of competence, and reliable access to communication.

“An ideal CRP is one who is congenial and supportive towards the spellers goals. Trust, Respect, and Faith are all priorities. Most importantly the emotional stability presented by the CRP. Consistent positive vibes are necessary to keep the speller regulated.”

"A great CRP needs to be a kind person and willing to advocate for nonspeaking people. They should treat autistic people with respect and kindness. A great CRP should never judge anyone based on their abilities. They should spread the information that nonspeaking people are intelligent."

"Being a good CRP means that you beam confidence from every pore. First and foremost, we need the presumption of competence. Next comes the trust and connection. From there everything should flow. The most important part is to trust the process and keep pushing through."

"I think a good CRP is someone driven to succeed in whatever they attempt. Insecure people hinder my ability to spell. To list characteristics, I place high value on the following: confidence, intelligence, and determination."

"To be a great CRP takes an immense form of patience one that you do not encounter in everyday situations."

Program Structure

The Online CRP Training Program includes 10 self-paced modules designed to build understanding progressively as CRPs gain skills with the Speller.

Each module includes:

A training video
A short knowledge-check quiz
Handouts and supplemental materials

Participants must earn a score of 80% or higher on each quiz to unlock the next module. This ensures a strong understanding and accountability.

While coursework is asynchronous, a certificate and Registered CRP status require supervised practice and cannot be earned solely through online learning.

Supervised Practice and Core Competencies
Cost and Practitioner Support
Program Completion

To earn Registered CRP status, participants must demonstrate required competencies in collaboration with:

A Certified S2C Practitioner, and
A nonspeaker

This supervised practice is essential and cannot be bypassed.

Competencies focus on ethical, practical, and real-world application and include areas such as:

Appropriate board placement and movement along the letterboard hierarchy
Supporting regulation and co-regulation
Presuming competence and supporting age-appropriate, meaningful content
Understanding pacing, positioning, and partner roles
Adhering to ethical standards and best practices

The course emphasizes best practices, ethics, boundaries, and the CRP’s specific role within an S2C team.

CRP Training Program fee: $400
Certified S2C Practitioner services: Paid separately

Most nonspeakers participating in CRP training are already working with a Certified S2C Practitioner. CRPs may:

Join existing S2C sessions to receive coaching and feedback, or
Book time with a Certified S2C Practitioner to review videos and assess competencies

If a family has not worked with a practitioner recently, or does not have access to one locally, I-ASC can help connect them with Certified S2C Practitioners who offer virtual support. Please contact info@i-asc.org

Participants who complete all coursework and successfully demonstrate required competencies receive:

A CRP Training Certificate of Completion, and
Eligibility to be listed as a Registered CRP with I-ASC

Participants who complete the modules but do not complete supervised competencies will not receive a certificate or Registered CRP status.

I recently completed the Spelling to Communicate CRP training. I found the training to be engaging, relevant, and quite useful. It’s given me a deeper understanding of the experience of non-speakers with autism and how I can be supportive.
The program elaborates on why challenges with communication are not about a lack of intelligence or understanding, but rather from difficulty coordinating the body to do what the mind intends. It offers explanations of the sensory and regulation challenges that can impact communication while providing practical strategies to address these issues. Additionally, it has guided me on how to elicit the most authentic responses during open-ended spelling.
Having completed the course, I feel I will be more effective because of my deeper understanding of the principles behind S2C and the role of the CRP. Going forward I’ll be better prepared to understand spellers’ needs, support their regulation, and create opportunities for them to express themselves openly. Overall, it’s given me a stronger foundation to support my speller’s growth and independence, and I’m grateful to have the certificate!

Have Questions?

Join us for a webinar to learn more :

Navigating the I-ASC CRP Course: What to Expect and How to Succeed

What this webinar will cover:

- Overview of the course structure (self-paced video modules + live/virtual support with a Certified S2C Practitioner)
- Tips for getting the most out of the training
- What to expect at each stage
- There will be time at the end for Q&A!

Learn More

The Importance of Caregiver Involvement and Training a CRP

Two CRPs are Better than One

Nurturing Authentic Communication with Responsibility and Respect

Presuming Competence, Confidence and Co-Regulation are KEY

FAQ's

Is the program fully online?

The coursework is fully online and self-paced. However, obtaining a Certificate and Registered CRP status requires supervised practice with a Certified S2C Practitioner and a speller who is learning or has learned S2C.

How long does the program take to complete?

Most participants complete the online modules within several weeks. Total completion time varies depending on access to a Certified S2C Practitioner and scheduling of supervised practice.

Can a CRP start working with a new nonspeaker?

No. Initiating S2C instruction with a new nonspeaker is the role of a Certified S2C Practitioner. CRPs support communication AFTER instruction has been established and under the guidance of a Certified S2C Practitioner.

Does Registered CRP status expire?

No. Registered CRP status does not expire and does not require renewal.
However, CRP skills do not automatically transfer to a new nonspeaker. To support a different nonspeaker, the CRP must work under the supervision of a Certified S2C Practitioner to demonstrate competencies specific to that individual.

Is this the same as S2C Practitioner Training?

No. CRP Training does not prepare participants to become S2C Practitioners or introduce S2C to new spellers. CRPs support S2C under the supervision and guidance of a Certified S2C Practitioner. Certified S2C Practitioner Training is a separate professional pathway. Please reach out to training@i-asc.org for information on S2C Practitioner Training.

What is the cost of the program?

The CRP Training Program fee is $400. Services provided by a Certified S2C Practitioner are paid separately.
CRPs may join existing S2C sessions for coaching and feedback or book time with a Certified S2C Practitioner to review videos and assess competencies.
If a family has not worked with a practitioner recently or does not have access to one locally, I-ASC can help connect them with Certified S2C Practitioners who offer virtual support. Contact info@i-asc.org.

What are examples of the competencies?

Competencies focus on ethical, practical application, and include areas such as:
Board placement and movement along the letterboard hierarchy
Co-regulation and regulation support
Presuming competence and supporting appropriate, meaningful content
Understanding pacing, positioning, and partner roles
Ethical practice and professional boundaries

Who can I email with questions?

For additional questions, please email Training@i-asc.org