For far too long, nonspeaking individuals have been marginalized, segregated, underestimated, and excluded from conversations that shape their own lives. As Africa advances its inclusion initiatives, now is the time to ensure that nonspeakers are not only recognized but actively included in all aspects of society.
I-ASC is proud to host this groundbreaking conference, bringing together advocates, educators, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and nonspeaking individuals to explore strategies for meaningful inclusion in education, higher education, employment, healthcare, community engagement, and government policymaking. Through thought-provoking discussions, expert panels, and lived-experience perspectives, we will highlight the urgent need to break barriers and create a future where nonspeakers have a seat at the table—and a voice in the conversation.
Join us as we work together to build a society that truly embodies equality and accessibility for all.
The Sisu Hub is the first Autism Centre in South Africa, with branches in Pretoria and Johannesburg, that provides age-appropriate tutoring for non-speaking, minimally- and unreliably-speaking Autistic individuals. We presume competence regardless of motor and regulation difficulties. Our methodology is focused on therapies improving the body-mind disconnect, as well as sensory and motor differences. Our aim is to improve motor control and enable communication through Spelling to Communicate (S2C).Input, observations and clarifications from Autistic individuals form an integral part of our methodology. “Nothing about us without us”!We strive for inclusion, acceptance and above all, equivalence for all Autistic individuals.
“Put him in an institution and go on with your life.”
These were the words spoken by a paediatric neurologist to a parent of a non-speaking two-year-old child after his autism diagnosis. Those words stayed with us — and they became the reason the Heidelberg Autism Centre was founded. No child should ever be left without support, opportunity, or a voice.
Today, our centre is built on dedication, compassion, and the belief that every learner deserves to communicate and thrive.
We are a private practice located in Hartbeespoort offering in-person & online services to children from birth to 18 years, as well as adults with sensory processing difficulties. We celebrate every person as unique and we focus on their strengths. We offer relationship-based services where we empower and equip families, teachers, and other caregivers. Our therapy is play-based and we honour the child’s developmental level and emotional needs. Our goal is to deliver results within a reasonable time frame, and we are flexible in setting up a treatment plan that works for each family. We keep up to date with the latest treatment approaches and adhere to the best practice standards especially in terms of neuro-affirmative support.
Inner Voice is a Spelling to Communicate centre in Irene, Centurion. The people that we serve are nonspeakers, minimal speakers and unreliable speakers.
We are passionate about finding reliable communication for everyone. We promote unconditional acceptance in a regulating environment. We do individual therapy sessions as well as group sessions.
Our team consists of diverse S2C practitioners who have backgrounds in speech therapy, occupational therapy, education and counselling.
PALZ Ireland is a Spelling To Communicate Hub based in Naas, Co. Kildare, that is dedicated to ensuring access to communication, education, community, and beyond to all nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking individuals across Ireland and the EU. PALZ offers one-to-one and group S2C sessions where the Practitioner focuses on building the motor skill required to communicate, leading to independence, agency, autonomy and the equal opportunity to be contributing members of their society. PALZ is expanding with new Practitioners joining the team and many new initiatives, collaborations, projects and other plans in the pencil!
We invite you to support the I-ASC mission as a S2C Summit: Ireland Sponsor. This is a terrific opportunity to make your business more visible to an active, knowledgeable, engaged, and well-connected community.
**Exchange rate as of 20 March, 2025
Share your business with our network of nonspeakers at our flagship Conference. During this conference, you’ll be able to sell merchandise or share information about your organization or product with the spellerverse and the community.
We only have a limited number of Vendor spaces available, so don’t wait!
Vicky has worked in the field of autism and disability since 2010 and currently supports nonspeaking autistic individuals and their families through The Sisu Hub Johannesburg using Spelling to Communicate (S2C). Her work includes direct S2C sessions, collaboration with families and professionals, and contributing to the growth of this work in South Africa. She also serves on the I-ASC faculty, where she mentors practitioners in training.
Her practice is grounded in a strong commitment to presuming competence and to creating respectful, supportive spaces where authentic communication can emerge.
Frances qualified as an OT in 2007, and completed her Masters Degree, specializing in paediatric occupational therapy in 2013. She has worked extensively in both the government and private paediatric sector and gained experience both in the United Kingdom and in South Africa before starting her own private practice. She has been a guest speaker on radio and often presents courses to therapists and parents. She is qualified as an Ayres© Sensory Integration therapist, is a Therapeutic Listening Provider and has completed her Advanced DIR©/Floortime training. She has undertaken further training in trauma-informed care and attachment. She is also a certified Spell to Communicate (S2C) Practitioner and has a special interest in holistic neurodiverse care.
Frances has an interest in animal assisted therapy and she has completed her hippotherapy training through the Equine Assisted Association of South Africa to be able to include horses in her treatment. She enjoys nature-based intervention and bringing the best that nature has to offer into the therapy process.
She has a passion for blogging, learning, hiking, cooking and the arts. She resides in Hartbeespoort with her husband and two beautiful boys.
Opening remarks
Elizabeth Vosseller, the Executive Director of I-ASC and founder of Spelling to Communicate (S2C), is a native of Northern Virginia and is proud to call autism-friendly Herndon her hometown. Elizabeth has worked with individuals with complex communication and sensory-motor differences since 1995 in hospital, university, and private practice settings.
As Spelling to Communicate expands globally, maintaining rigour, consistency, and ethical integrity is essential. This presentation provides key updates from the International Association for Spelling as Communication and demonstrates how the 4 Rs - Replicable, Reliable, Responsible, and Researchable- serve as the operational foundation for training, practice, research, and global growth. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how these standards protect spellers, guide practitioners, and ensure the sustainable, ethical expansion of S2C worldwide.
Marquerette is a certified S2C Practitioner and I-ASC lesson grader, and is widely known as the unofficial lesson maven. If there is a lesson-related question floating around, half-formed, overthought, or in need of rescue, Marquerette is very likely your go-to person. She works at The Sisu Hub, the first centre in Africa providing age-appropriate education to nonspeakers, where she leads the Adult Group, The Sisu Insiders, a group that continually demonstrates the power of presuming competence and meaningful access to learning.
Beyond her day-to-day work, Marquerette is the founder of The Lesson Shelf, a trusted space for lesson writing tips, practical guidance, and genuinely great lessons that are built to work, not just look good on paper. She is deeply passionate about strong lesson design, thoughtful prompting, and supporting practitioners to feel confident, creative, and grounded in their lesson writing.
When she is not immersed in lessons and feedback, Marquerette can be found curled up with a book and her three Belgian Malinois, because a calm life was clearly never the goal. She is also well known for her excellent fiction book recommendations, so if you need a great read to escape into, she will happily point you in the right direction.
In this presentation, we’ll dive into all the exciting new (and better!) changes to lesson writing. Discover how to use AI to add some glitter and pizzazz to your lessons, and learn tips and tricks to make them super fun so your spellers can’t get enough. Curious about group lessons? We’ll untangle the mystery and share practical, sparkle-packed strategies to keep everyone engaged and loving every minute!
Vicky has worked in the field of autism and disability since 2010 and currently supports nonspeaking autistic individuals and their families through The Sisu Hub Johannesburg using Spelling to Communicate (S2C). Her work includes direct S2C sessions, collaboration with families and professionals, and contributing to the growth of this work in South Africa. She also serves on the I-ASC faculty, where she mentors practitioners in training.
Her practice is grounded in a strong commitment to presuming competence and to creating respectful, supportive spaces where authentic communication can emerge.
Regulation is at the heart of S2C. When our nervous systems are steady, our spellers feel safer, calmer, and more capable. Boundaries, self-regulation, and community support aren’t extras - they’re essential tools for ethical, sustainable practice. A regulated practitioner supports a regulated speller.
I am an S2C practitioner and speech therapist from Centurion, South Africa. I have been doing S2C since 2017 when Elizabeth made her first visit to South Africa but I completed my practitioners course in 2021. I have a S2C practice in Centurion called Inner Voice. I am involved with mentoring for I-ASC and Inner Voice is an Internship Site for S2C practitioners in training. I am passionate about the work I do and the families that I get to walk with. I live in Centurion with my husband, our 2 young adult children and 3 dogs. In my free time I love spending time with my family and friends, reading, dabbling in painting and traveling.
A roadmap to finding your spellers voice through creative writing.
I began my career in special education when taking over Ligno Vitae Academy; a remedial environment. In 2017, Elizabeth Vosseller came to South Africa and introduced me to something called Spelling to Communicate. At this point, it was a method specifically for nonspeaking, minimally speaking and unreliably speaking autistic individuals. In 2018, Elizabeth came back to South Africa and presented a second workshop where we saw the same individuals who were now able to communicate their thoughts, opinions and ideas. It was then, that I decided our spellers needed more than just communication. They needed a school that would stimulate their brains, respect their bodies and give them autonomy. The Sisu Hub was founded in Pretoria in 2019. Today, we have two branches, our original branch in Pretoria and a branch in Johannesburg and we are an official Internship site for S2C practitioners in training in Africa. We now also offer Spelling to Communicate sessions in Cape Town. I am a certified Spelling to Communicate practitioner with 7 years of experience and also mentor new practitioners globally who are completing their training through the International Association of Spelling as Communication.
Jolanie Roos is an educator and the Principal of the Heidelberg Autism Centre. She holds a B.Ed in Senior and FET Phase as well as a B.Ed in Foundation Phase, and has completed qualifications in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Auditory Integration Therapy, Play Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy, along with various short courses related to autism support and education.
As the mother of a 15-year-old non-speaking autistic child, Jolanie brings both professional knowledge and practical experience to her work. She founded the Heidelberg Autism Centre to provide a structured, safe, and supportive learning environment for autistic learners. She is committed to improving access to appropriate education and support for children and their families.
Frances qualified as an OT in 2007, and completed her Masters Degree, specializing in paediatric occupational therapy in 2013. She has worked extensively in both the government and private paediatric sector and gained experience both in the United Kingdom and in South Africa before starting her own private practice. She has been a guest speaker on radio and often presents courses to therapists and parents. She is qualified as an Ayres© Sensory Integration therapist, is a Therapeutic Listening Provider and has completed her Advanced DIR©/Floortime training. She has undertaken further training in trauma-informed care and attachment. She is also a certified Spell to Communicate (S2C) Practitioner and has a special interest in holistic neurodiverse care.
Frances has an interest in animal assisted therapy and she has completed her hippotherapy training through the Equine Assisted Association of South Africa to be able to include horses in her treatment. She enjoys nature-based intervention and bringing the best that nature has to offer into the therapy process.
She has a passion for blogging, learning, hiking, cooking and the arts. She resides in Hartbeespoort with her husband and two beautiful boys.
Have you been wondering how S2C can be implemented in schools? Come listen to this insightful presentation of S2C in various educational settings, what is possible and what still needs to change - and what do's and don'ts to remeber when implementing S2C in the school setting.
Bianca Nel is a Speech and Language Therapist and Certified Spelling to Communicate (S2C) practitioner based in Pretoria. She graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2014 with a BCommunication Pathology degree and currently runs her private practice at The Sisu Hub.
Bianca’s caseload primarily consists of nonspeaking autistic individuals, a community she is deeply passionate about supporting. Early in her career, she became aware that traditional one size fits all therapy approaches often failed to meet the needs of many children, despite their clear intelligence and potential. This realization led her to seek alternative, more respectful communication approaches, and in 2017 she trained in Spelling to Communicate (S2C).
For more than eight years, Bianca has integrated S2C into her clinical work, witnessing meaningful progress, increased autonomy, and powerful communication breakthroughs for her clients. Her work is grounded in presuming competence and creating environments where communication can flourish.
Outside of her professional role, Bianca is a mom to three daughters who continually inspire her. She is committed to ongoing learning and collaboration with families, with the goal of creating real opportunities for every individual to be heard and understood.
At A Happy Place Counselling Services, we offer neurodiversity-affirming counselling and therapy for neurodivergent children, teens, and adults. Our approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and practical, helping families with regulation tools and to overcome challenges in day-to-day life. Our special interests involve autism and AuDHD-related support, compassionate Persistent Drive for Autonomy (PDA) support, and mental health management.
Many nonspeakers carry trauma that has never been named. Many therapists carry bruises physical and emotional that are rarely acknowledged.
This talk brings both into the light, exploring how trauma shapes behavior, connection, and communication in Spelling to Communicate, and how we can create safer, more attuned spaces for everyone involved.
Elizabeth Vosseller, the Executive Director of I-ASC and founder of Spelling to Communicate (S2C), is a native of Northern Virginia and is proud to call autism-friendly Herndon her hometown. Elizabeth has worked with individuals with complex communication and sensory-motor differences since 1995 in hospital, university, and private practice settings.
Marquerette is a certified S2C Practitioner and I-ASC lesson grader, and is widely known as the unofficial lesson maven. If there is a lesson-related question floating around, half-formed, overthought, or in need of rescue, Marquerette is very likely your go-to person. She works at The Sisu Hub, the first centre in Africa providing age-appropriate education to nonspeakers, where she leads the Adult Group, The Sisu Insiders, a group that continually demonstrates the power of presuming competence and meaningful access to learning.
Beyond her day-to-day work, Marquerette is the founder of The Lesson Shelf, a trusted space for lesson writing tips, practical guidance, and genuinely great lessons that are built to work, not just look good on paper. She is deeply passionate about strong lesson design, thoughtful prompting, and supporting practitioners to feel confident, creative, and grounded in their lesson writing.
When she is not immersed in lessons and feedback, Marquerette can be found curled up with a book and her three Belgian Malinois, because a calm life was clearly never the goal. She is also well known for her excellent fiction book recommendations, so if you need a great read to escape into, she will happily point you in the right direction.
An evening of connection, creativity, and celebration for all ages.
Kick off the night with a warm welcome from your event hosts, S&A, as we come together to celebrate our incredible community.
Each table will feature engaging activities designed to spark conversation and creativity, including:
Silent Disco sponsored by Good Times Only
For those who want to dance, headsets will be available for a vibrant silent disco experience!
🎧 Headsets will be given first to nonspeakers, followed by siblings, and then family members if supplies allow.
We can't wait to share this joyful and inclusive evening with you—let's make it a night to remember!
Tracy is a S2C practitioner and speech therapist from Centurion, South Africa. She has been doing S2C since 2017 when Elizabeth made her first visit to South Africa but completed her practitioners course in 2021. Tracy has a S2C practice in Centurion called Inner Voice. She is involved with mentoring for I-ASC and Inner Voice is an Internship Site for S2C practitioners in training. She is passionate about the work she does and the families that she get to walk with.
She lives in Centurion with her husband, their 2 young adult children and 3 dogs. In my free time she loves spending time with her family and friends, reading, dabbling in painting and travelling.
I began my career in special education when taking over Ligno Vitae Academy; a remedial environment. In 2017, Elizabeth Vosseller came to South Africa and introduced me to something called Spelling to Communicate. At this point, it was a method specifically for nonspeaking, minimally speaking and unreliably speaking autistic individuals. In 2018, Elizabeth came back to South Africa and presented a second workshop where we saw the same individuals who were now able to communicate their thoughts, opinions and ideas. It was then, that I decided our spellers needed more than just communication. They needed a school that would stimulate their brains, respect their bodies and give them autonomy. The Sisu Hub was founded in Pretoria in 2019. Today, we have two branches, our original branch in Pretoria and a branch in Johannesburg and we are an official Internship site for S2C practitioners in training in Africa. We now also offer Spelling to Communicate sessions in Cape Town. I am a certified Spelling to Communicate practitioner with 7 years of experience and also mentor new practitioners globally who are completing their training through the International Association of Spelling as Communication.
Elizabeth Vosseller is a native of Northern Virginia and is proud to call autism-friendly, Herndon, her hometown. Elizabeth has worked with individuals with complex communication and sensory-motor differences since 1995 in hospital, university and private practice settings. In 2013, she began using Assistive Technology to teach students the purposeful motor skills to Spell to Communicate (S2C). Teaching motor versus cognition to access communication, meaningful education and inclusion has been a game changer for nonspeaking individuals. “26 letters equals infinite possibilities!” Since witnessing countless nonspeaking, minimally and unreliably speaking individuals successfully communicate and learn through spelling and typing, Elizabeth and I-ASC are committed to ensuring ALL nonspeaking individuals have access to communication through training, education, advocacy and research. Elizabeth is honored to serve as the Executive Director for I-ASC.
Spelling to Communicate is grounded in the understanding that many nonspeaking individuals possess intact language and cognition but face significant motor challenges that interfere with speech. This presentation examines the foundations and function of S2C, and how the 4 Rs—Replicable, Reliable, Responsible, and Researchable—ensure the method is implemented with rigor, ethical integrity, and accountability. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how S2C provides a structured pathway to communication while supporting sustainable global growth and research
Akha Khumalo is a 15-year-old nonspeaking autistic boy pursuing his High School Diploma using Spelling to Communicate (S2C). He thrives at the Centre where he follows his curriculum, surrounded by peers who communicate and learn as he does. Being in a space where he feels understood, included and supported brings him joy and confidence.
Though he is a nonspeaker, Akha participates fully in his academic and community life, consistently showing that communication and intelligence take many forms. He is also a growing advocate for nonspeaking individuals, sharing his lived experience with health professionals, communication partners, educators and parents. His thoughtful contributions challenge misconceptions and help create more inclusive environments for nonspeakers.
Akha is a twin, a role that enriches his sense of connection, empathy and collaboration. His journey reflects strength, curiosity and leadership, making him an inspiring young voice in the nonspeaking community.
My name is Tholu Zulu. I am a nonspeaking fellow autistic. Spelling to communicate has been my method to express myself for almost nine years now.
I am currently in the Adult group at The Sisu Hub.
I also want to help other nonspeakers not only find their voice but also to find a place they belong.
I am a Zulu warrior.
My name is Naleli Mochele and im autistic with albinism.
I go to The Sisu Hub where I am treated with utmost respect.
Please welcome Miss Incredible to the room.
Zekwande Mathenjwa is a nonspeaking autistic self-advocate and the Founder and President of the Zekwande Foundation, a non-profit organisation advancing the communication and education rights of nonspeaking autistic individuals across Africa. Born in Pretoria in 2006, Zekwande learned to communicate through letterboards and now uses his lived experience to inform advocacy, policy engagement, and professional education.
He has presented to parents, educators, municipalities, universities, and professional audiences, including third- and fourth-year Speech-Language Therapy students, and was a featured speaker at numerous local and international conferences and events including UNISA’s Autism Awareness Day in 2025and Zekwande was the keynote speaker for an international event hosted by Dynamic Differences, on Amplifying an African autistic adult’s voice. Zekwande is also actively involved in governance and oversight groups within South African regulatory bodies and collaborates with local and international advocacy organisations.
His work challenges the assumption that speech equals intelligence and calls for ethical, rights-based access to communication and education for nonspeaking autistics
Through their own words, fluent S2C spellers invite us into their inner worlds and journeys toward communication, reminding us that belief and determination can change everything.
Bronwyn Muteebezi is an occupational therapist passionate about community-based work and supporting families in their home environments. Her perspective was deeply shaped through Spelling to Communicate (S2C) after meeting a speller and their family—an experience that transformed how she sees and supports children. Bronwyn is continually humbled to approach her work with greater compassion, intention, and a deep respect for each child’s potential.
Frances qualified as an OT in 2007, and completed her Masters Degree, specializing in paediatric occupational therapy in 2013. She has worked extensively in both the government and private paediatric sector and gained experience both in the United Kingdom and in South Africa before starting her own private practice. She has been a guest speaker on radio and often presents courses to therapists and parents. She is qualified as an Ayres© Sensory Integration therapist, is a Therapeutic Listening Provider and has completed her Advanced DIR©/Floortime training. She has undertaken further training in trauma-informed care and attachment. She is also a certified Spell to Communicate (S2C) Practitioner and has a special interest in holistic neurodiverse care.
Frances has an interest in animal assisted therapy and she has completed her hippotherapy training through the Equine Assisted Association of South Africa to be able to include horses in her treatment. She enjoys nature-based intervention and bringing the best that nature has to offer into the therapy process.
She has a passion for blogging, learning, hiking, cooking and the arts. She resides in Hartbeespoort with her husband and two beautiful boys.
Why motor coaching is so important for our spellers and what can you do to help at home! Do you want your speller to be more independent at home? This presentation will help you to change gear to get there. Understand the why and we will get to the finish line!
Lizelle Burger is a Speech-Language Therapist and S2C practitioner with a deep passion for supporting the autistic community. She lives in Centurion with her husband, two beautiful children, three pugs, and three cats—proof that she’s both an animal lover and highly outnumbered at home.
Fuelled by good coffee and regulated by reruns of FRIENDS, Lizelle believes in bringing warmth, sincerity, and a touch of humour to every
I am a speech therapist with 18 years of experience working with children from the ages of 2 to 18 with special needs and ASD. I worked for 15 years in the Department of Education and at special schools. I have a Masters qualification in Speech Language Pathology with the special interest in AAC and the use of visual schedules for ASD children. The last 3 years I have joined the Irene Occupational and Speech Therapists in private practice studying and using Spelling to Communicate with a predominantly ASD caseload. This has been a life changing and beautiful journey and I’m so excited to be here and working with so many wonderful families and minimal and unreliable speakers. I am a wife and mother to 2 daughters aged 9 and 5 years, that also keep me busy. I love travelling, a night out but not too often, hikes and some adventure sports too. My hobbies include reading, gardening and baking.
This talk explores how sensory systems influence behaviour, regulation, learning, and daily family life.
This presentation helps parents understand the hidden sensory experiences behind meltdowns, food struggles, movement needs, and emotional reactions — offering practical strategies and speller insights to support others with sensitivity and confidence.
Nomagugu Sibindi is a wife, a mother and a career woman. A seasoned insurance professional who holds the Fellowship (FIISA) designation of the Insurance Institute of South Africa, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management degrees. She has over 20-years’ experience in Insurance and Risk Management.
She is mother to two beautiful children, Ayandiswa, a boy aged ten and Nicolette a girl aged eight. She has a heart for autistics and is passionate about Spelling-to communicate.
Ayandiswa Sibindi, is a 10-year-old non-speaking autistic. He communicates using Spelling to Communicate (S2C). He is a cheerful, happy, empathetic boy who enjoys positive interactions with peers and adults. He is a Grade 5 learner following the Cambridge curriculum and his favourite subjects are Mathematics and Science. He got his voice through the boards and has never looked back. He loves advocating for other non-speakers to find their voice too.
Stephanie Pringle is a 21-year-old autistic non-speaker and has been using Spelling to Communicate since 2019. She has passed external Cambridge International examinations in English, Mathematics, Afrikaans, Business Studies and Combined Science, making her the first person in Africa to use a letterboard to pass matric. She attended the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum Youth Disabled Leadership Course in 2024 and is currently studying through the School of Leadership and Theology.
Zelda Pringle holds diplomas in Graphic Design (Technikon Pretoria) and Marketing Management (IMM). More recently, she qualified as a Pilates instructor. She has been a Communication and Regulation Partner for her autistic daughter, Stephanie, since 2019, using the Spelling to Communicate method.
I am Geoffrey, like loving kindness. Really passionate about real advocacy. Not the kind that does insidiously nothing. The kind that makes a difference. I am 11 years old, but my heart is ancient. I like helping non-speakers break the bonds that bind them. So much to do, I am just beginning. What would the world be like if we were all accepted? A utopia of happiness.
Parents and spellers share their lived experiences of spelling at home and the journey toward deeper communication and connection.
Elizabeth Vosseller is a native of Northern Virginia and is proud to call autism-friendly, Herndon, her hometown. Elizabeth has worked with individuals with complex communication and sensory-motor differences since 1995 in hospital, university and private practice settings. In 2013, she began using Assistive Technology to teach students the purposeful motor skills to Spell to Communicate (S2C). Teaching motor versus cognition to access communication, meaningful education and inclusion has been a game changer for nonspeaking individuals. “26 letters equals infinite possibilities!” Since witnessing countless nonspeaking, minimally and unreliably speaking individuals successfully communicate and learn through spelling and typing, Elizabeth and I-ASC are committed to ensuring ALL nonspeaking individuals have access to communication through training, education, advocacy and research. Elizabeth is honored to serve as the Executive Director for I-ASC.
Veronica Muinjo is a spelling to communicate practitioner from sunny Namibia who is passionate about changing the narrative when it comes to autistic people. She has a background in Education, psychology and play therapy. It took her two years to complete the 6 month practitioner training course so she understands a thing or two about progress not always being linear.
Stefanie Louw is an educator, S2C practitioner, and autism advocate based in South Africa, and the mother of a nonspeaking autistic son. She works with nonspeaking individuals at The Sisu Hub Pretoria, using Spelling to Communicate and serves on the I-ASC faculty, mentoring practitioners in training. Her work is grounded in both professional practice and lived experience, with a strong focus on amplifying nonspeaking voices and supporting families with practical, compassionate guidance.
Megan Stevens is an attentive and empathetic Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and
certified Spelling to Communicate Practitioner. She has 14 years of SLP experience in various domains, including work with adults, children and their families. In 2018, she started providing Spelling to Communicate under supervision after attending an introductory training and completed her full training in 2021. She is passionate about supporting and empowering nonspeakers and their families to express and advocate for themselves. Her approach is individualised, gentle and growth-focused, aiming to lay solid foundations on which skills can be built and accommodations applied so that each person can achieve success with self-
confidence, and at their own pace. She prioritises building therapeutic partnerships of equal
value and collaborative participation. She loves learning from each and every nonspeaker
that she works with.
Communication access develops through a rigorous process, but the path is rarely linear. This presentation explores why progress in Spelling to Communicate unfolds differently for each speller, highlighting the critical roles of motor development, regulation, trust, and consistent support in building reliable communication. Participants will gain practical insight into honoring individual pacing while maintaining high expectations and preserving the integrity of the method.
Mika is an unreliable speaker and passionate about advocacy. She is 19 years old and found her real voice through S2C at age 16. Mika’s personal experiences with being an unreliable speaker, the assumptions made about her and how that affected her education is what drives her.
Mika is currently finishing her education through homeschooling. She lives with her mother and 2 younger sisters. Mika is an animal lover who likes to read in her spare time.
A Phoenix Rising
"I was burnt, but I have been reborn and I am flying like a phoenix."
This powerful image of a phoenix rising from the ashes defines Lian Erasmus's story. For a long time, Lian’s voice was trapped. Diagnosed with Autism, he lived in a world where his brilliant mind—"super gifted" and full of ideas—was locked behind a body that wouldn't cooperate. He struggled to speak or write, not because he didn't understand, but because of motor challenges.
That changed with the discovery of Spelling to Communicate (S2C). It was the spark that allowed him to rise. Through this method, Lian proved that his silence was never emptiness. He describes his brain as finally being "free to soar."
Today, Lian is not just a participant in the world, but a leader. He founded Lian’s Voice with a deep, personal wish: to ensure that every child like him finds acceptance, friendship, and a "real education." He stands as living proof of his own truth:
"I am so much more than meets the eye."
Unreliable speakers are often misunderstood, judged as immature, language delayed, or incapable, simply because their speech doesn’t reflect their true thoughts. In this powerful panel, unreliable speakers share their experiences and dispel common misconceptions. They’ll explore why speech can be misleading, how spelling offers a more reliable path to communication, and what they wish the world understood.
Elizabeth Vosseller is a native of Northern Virginia and is proud to call autism-friendly, Herndon, her hometown. Elizabeth has worked with individuals with complex communication and sensory-motor differences since 1995 in hospital, university and private practice settings. In 2013, she began using Assistive Technology to teach students the purposeful motor skills to Spell to Communicate (S2C). Teaching motor versus cognition to access communication, meaningful education and inclusion has been a game changer for nonspeaking individuals. “26 letters equals infinite possibilities!” Since witnessing countless nonspeaking, minimally and unreliably speaking individuals successfully communicate and learn through spelling and typing, Elizabeth and I-ASC are committed to ensuring ALL nonspeaking individuals have access to communication through training, education, advocacy and research. Elizabeth is honored to serve as the Executive Director for I-ASC.
Emerging research is challenging long-standing assumptions about nonspeaking individuals and expanding what is understood about communication, access, and competence. This presentation explores the collaborative role of researchers, practitioners, parents, and nonspeakers in building the evidence needed to drive meaningful change in education, policy, and access to communication supports.
Jolanie Roos is an educator and the Principal of the Heidelberg Autism Centre. She holds a B.Ed in Senior and FET Phase as well as a B.Ed in Foundation Phase, and has completed qualifications in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Auditory Integration Therapy, Play Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy, along with various short courses related to autism support and education.
As the mother of a 15-year-old non-speaking autistic child, Jolanie brings both professional knowledge and practical experience to her work. She founded the Heidelberg Autism Centre to provide a structured, safe, and supportive learning environment for autistic learners. She is committed to improving access to appropriate education and support for children and their families.
Bianca Nel is a Speech and Language Therapist and Certified Spelling to Communicate (S2C) practitioner based in Pretoria. She graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2014 with a BCommunication Pathology degree and currently runs her private practice at The Sisu Hub.
Bianca’s caseload primarily consists of nonspeaking autistic individuals, a community she is deeply passionate about supporting. Early in her career, she became aware that traditional one size fits all therapy approaches often failed to meet the needs of many children, despite their clear intelligence and potential. This realization led her to seek alternative, more respectful communication approaches, and in 2017 she trained in Spelling to Communicate (S2C).
For more than eight years, Bianca has integrated S2C into her clinical work, witnessing meaningful progress, increased autonomy, and powerful communication breakthroughs for her clients. Her work is grounded in presuming competence and creating environments where communication can flourish.
Outside of her professional role, Bianca is a mom to three daughters who continually inspire her. She is committed to ongoing learning and collaboration with families, with the goal of creating real opportunities for every individual to be heard and understood.
This will be a panel-discussion of parents sharing their experiences and efforts to help school teams shift their mindset and speak the same language about nonspeaking students.
Contact I-ASC directly at info@i-asc.org or 703-454-0202.
Please visit our Spelling to Communicate page for more information. If you have additional questions, feel free to email us at info@i-asc.org.
PLEASE DO! Sessions are geared toward all participants; nonspeaking communicators, family, and professionals. We are not able to offer respite. An adult must accompany children under the age of 18.
Due to the many food preferences and allergies of our attendees, we do not provide meals at the conference.
Yes! However, each attendee must register to participate in this event.
Attendees 18 and over are required to present one form of photo ID.
You may receive a 50% refund if you email us before February 1, 2026 at info@I-ASC.org. Unfortunately, we cannot refund full ticket prices due to reservations and commitments made to our vendors once your reservation is purchased.
Tickets are transferable to another participant with no additional fee if executed no later than February 1, 2026 by emailing us with your information and the name, email, address, and phone number of the person(s) you are transferring your ticket(s) to info@i-asc.org.
Elizabeth Vosseller, I-ASC Executive Director and S2C founder, pioneers motor-based spelling to empower nonspeakers through advocacy, training, and research.
Dara Connolly is a seasoned leadership coach and experiential program curator, currently serving as Chief Executive of Common Purpose Ireland.
Anna is the owner of PALZ Ireland, an I-ASC Certified S2C Practitioner, and Play Therapist. With 20+ years of experience, she trains, mentors, and empowers nonspeakers through communication.
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