New to I-ASC?

New Nonspeakers & Families

support is the key to understanding

a roadmap to communication

I-ASC was formed to give nonspeakers, their families, and allies a place to find support, education, and community. The search for support and advice for nonspeakers can be confusing and frustrating. We understand.

Nonspeaking individuals with sensory-motor differences have long been underestimated and misunderstood. Informed by the lived experience of nonspeakers, we seek to educate nonspeakers, families, and the general population to better understand the underlying sensory and motor challenges affecting communication for nonspeaking, minimally, and unreliably speaking people.

Dedicated to nonspeaker success

"NONSPEAKING" VS. "NONVERBAL"

Nonspeaking is an umbrella term for individuals who cannot use speech as their primary, effective, and reliable means of communication. Nonspeaking includes those who do not speak at all, are minimally speaking, or are unreliably speaking.

The word “nonverbal” comes from Latin origin and means “without words.” Our community has many beautiful words; they don’t have the speech to communicate their words, thoughts, and ideas. Language is the knowledge in our head about this symbolic system that we refer to as a language, and speech is what comes out of your mouth.

We believe that using the term “nonverbal” contributes to the widespread misunderstanding that nonspeaking individuals lack intelligence, which is invalid.

Which best describes your nonspeaking family member?

Little to No Speaking

A person who does little to no speaking has very limited speech. They may or may not be able to produce a small number of words and struggle to communicate using speech.

Minimally Speaking

A minimally speaking person may be able to use some speech to produce a number of words or phrases but does not have enough speech for robust and flexible communication.

Unreliably Speaking

A person who is unreliably speaking may have the ability to speak but cannot always access their speech intentionally or with the correct communicative intent.

WHAT IS S2C?

Spelling to Communicate (S2C) is a methodology that teaches individuals with motor challenges the skills necessary to point to letters to spell as an alternative means of communication (AAC). Teaching individuals to touch individual letters on a letterboard placed in front of them to form words aims to teach synchrony between the brain and the body. As motor skills improve through constant practice, students progress from pointing to letters on a letterboard to spell to typing on a keyboard, and communication moves from concrete to abstract. I-ASC trains S2C practitioners using best practices to provide services to nonspeakers worldwide.

understand s2c

find a practitioner

Evidence-based Research

I-ASC is the authority for researchers, developers, and data scientists to help educate and inform on the most current advancements for the nonspeaking community. The Spelling to Communicate™ method is an evidence-based practice with a long record of successful outcomes. We work with a global network of interdisciplinary thought leaders and researchers to further substantiate and verify S2C as a communication method that has already changed the lives of many nonspeakers. All of these efforts are helping to make our society more inclusive and accessible for people who struggle with speech and communication challenges.

view our research

join
I-asc

As soon-to-be spellers, new spellers, families, and allies to I-ASC, know that you are welcome, and we encourage you to get involved with everything in the I-ASC community. As you start your communication journey with I-ASC, become a part of educating others on acceptance and inclusion for the neurodiverse community by joining forces with our Spellers and Allies. Stay on top of everything going on in the I-ASC community by signing up for our monthly newsletter. Collectively I-ASC works passionately to encourage, inform and share with those new to our community and educate globally on the importance of neurodiversity and inclusion. Welcome to the nonspeaking commUnity and the I-ASC movement!

WHAT I-ASC OFFERS NEW NONSPEAKERS & FAMILIES

Resources & Education for nonspeakers & Families

I-ASC provides the nonspeaking community with resources, education, and research. Find free online S2C lessons in English and Spanish, motoriety hacks, as well as books we recommend, videos, articles, and websites both by and for nonspeakers to instruct, inform and support spellers, their families, and friends in their quest for information.

explore our resources

Events & Webinars

I-ASC offers events, webinars, and conferences throughout the year to showcase and celebrate the talents of the nonspeaking community. We work to support the nonspeaking community by hosting free monthly community talks and webinars each year, reaching more than 2000 attendees. So, come join us to create meaningful connections throughout the neurodiverse community, develop best practices, advocate, and learn about the latest research.

Advocacy and Community

The I-ASC Spellers & Allies Advocacy Network is a group of spellers and allies advocating issues concerning nonspeaking people, such as agency, autonomy, and access. Through public education and advocacy campaigns, we seek to make real change for all nonspeaking people.

become an advocate

Professionally trained S2C Practitioners

Since 2019, I-ASC has offered Practitioner training in Spelling to Communicate (S2C), a method for teaching purposeful motor skills for communication for individuals with autism and other sensory-motor challenges. I-ASC is committed to training rigorously prepared S2C practitioners to fill the needs of the nonspeaking community globally.

become a practitioner

PARENT COHORT Training

Offered through our network, parent cohort training is an online course for parents that meets twice a month for five months. We teach you about purposeful motor, lesson writing, anxiety, motor loops, self-commands, working through dysregulation, understanding meltdowns, and empowering versus enabling.

COMMUNICATION REGULATION PARTNER (CRP) COACHING

Coming soon!

With direct support from S2C Practitioners, our CRP coaching will educate and train parents, siblings, grandparents, support staff, and others as one-on-one CRPs for your child. Having more than one CRP gives spellers greater support and flexibility in their communication. As family members, support staff, and allies of a nonspeaker, you can help advance your nonspeaker’s communication and further your skills as a Communication Regulation Partner (CRP) by taking our training program and learning to spell with your loved one!

learn more

Free Resources for new nonspeakers & Families

Free S2C lessons in English

Lecciones S2C Gratis en Español

Books we recommend

Events & Webinars

Online Resources for Nonspeakers

Online Resources by nonspeakers

Motoriety Hacks

The I-ASC Blog

Join us and learn more

Spelling to Communicate has changed my family's lives in ways I never could have imagined. Before S2C, my son was only able to communicate a handful of basic wants and needs and I was feeling my way around in the dark just guessing at the details of what he might be thinking or feeling. When my son started spelling, it was like having a light turned on that allowed me to truly see him for the first time. He now has deep and meaningful relationships not only with our family, but with an incredible group of friends that he has met through the global community that I-ASC has created for nonspeaking individuals. There are no words that can adequately express my gratitude for everything that S2C has brought to our lives and for the work that I-ASC does to make communication access a reality for nonspeakers around the world.

Jennifer Rainey, OhioS2c Parent

Every parent sits on a razor’s edge of hope that something will somehow be the intervention that is the turning point for their child. Conversely, there is also the fear their child won’t respond, crushing any hope for their child’s future. Although S2C had already helped so many others, I was afraid my child would be the one who didn’t respond, and my worst fears for Ryan would be realized. EV assured me this feeling was common but that she hadn’t yet met a non-speaker she couldn’t reach. She presumes competence with our kids, who for years have been underestimated and labeled Developmentally Delayed--and dismissed as unable to learn and without feelings. Being recognized as an intelligent person worthy of respect was life-changing for Ryan, as he has told us through the letterboards. He is less frustrated and is happier now that he has a communication outlet. We, his family, envision an entirely different future for him now that he can effectively communicate. I feel like I am finally meeting the brilliant, kind, and funny boy that has had my heart for almost 15 years.

Janet Edgehill, Hawaii S2c Parent

Need Help? Get started through our speller access fund

We understand that there are considerable financial obstacles for families these days, and we don’t want finances to be a barrier to accessing communication. So we actively raise funds to help new spellers who need financial assistance to afford S2C sessions with a registered S2C Practitioner.

The Speller Access Fund includes a set of stencil letterboards, two workbooks, and vouchers for five sessions with a registered S2C Practitioner participating in the Speller Access Fund Program.

apply today

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