The idea of groups is one that makes me very excited to be a speller. Learning in groups is my lifelong desire. New groups can have some nerves attached, and today, I would like to spend time talking about groups from a speller’s perspective. The long-term friendships that can be derived from these real and bonding moments are important and should be taken into consideration when planning a group.
Starting out with the intention of building a time for spellers to simply be together is imperative. Your group will be successful if you make this one modification to your mindset. Try to get spellers together, even if it’s hard.
Second, I want to point out that we can be rowdy and still be enjoying the time together. The dysregulation will come but don’t let that stop you from gathering dysregulated bodies. The movements and noises don’t usually mean just one thing. They reveal big emotions like surprise, excitement, fear, anger, and joy.
Spellers all have different needs, so choose your group wisely. Spelling prowess isn’t the only thing to consider. You can plan based on interests or the milestones we are experiencing. These are intense, and I want to discuss them with my peers. These are the things that mold acquaintances into friends, so they need to make an impact on your logic when planning a group.
These moments are the same things you consider when joining a group yourself. Starting here and expanding into deeper connections is the most supportive thing you can do.
About the Author
Peyton Culver is a sixteen year old non-speaking individual from Knoxville, Tennessee. He is a sophomore at Farragut High School and a strong advocate for the non-speaking community. He is very proud of the growth of the East Tennessee community and helps lead The Peyton Project Foundation.
