For far too long, nonspeaking individuals have been marginalized, segregated, underestimated, and excluded from conversations that shape their own lives. As the United Kingdom 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 partner with Lapwing Spelling and Spell My Mind in hosting this ground-breaking conference, bringing together nonspeakers, families, practitioners, researchers, educators, and advocates for a day of learning, collaboration, and shared experience.
Through a programme of engaging presentations and discussions, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of Spelling to Communicate (S2C), exploring practical strategies, current research, and the invaluable lived experiences of parents, practitioners, and, most importantly, our inspiring nonspeaking presenters.
Sessions will cover a range of important topics, including developing purposeful communication, understanding motor, providing trauma-informed support, and applying evidence-informed practice. Together, these presentations will encourage fresh perspectives, build confidence, and empower participants to better support nonspeakers across education, healthcare, home, and the wider community.
Whether you’re new to S2C, have been using it as an AAC method for some time, are a professional looking to expand your knowledge, or simply want to learn more, this conference offers something for everyone. We warmly welcome anyone with an interest in supporting and understanding nonspeaking individuals to join us.
Personalised Spelling to Communicate (S2C) support for children and adults across the UK. Helping non-speaking individuals communicate through spelling
Spell My Mind provides personalised spelling-to-communicate support for non-speaking, minimally speaking and unreliable-speaking individuals and their families across Winchester and the surrounding areas.
Our mission is to unlock communication, build connection and empower spellers to express their thoughts, needs and identity through this life-changing communication system.
Use code: IASC26 for special rates.
Please call or email the hotel to lock in the discount.
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.
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.
Anna is the owner of and Lead Practitioner at PALZ Ireland. PALZ is a Spelling To Communicate Hub based in Co. Kildare, Ireland 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! Anna is also Faculty at I-ASC and is honoured to lead new Cohorts of Practitioners through their training and mentoring them on their journey.
This presentation offers a deep dive into the body's dialogue beyond words through the lens of Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory. We will explore how distinct physiological states influence human behavior and regulation. By learning to closely observe somatic cues, we will gain insight to better understand both our own nervous systems and the internal states of nonspeaking individuals.
Kate Jones is a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and trainer specialising in the intersection of neurodivergence and mental health. In private practice, she works with neurodivergent adults and young people, with a particular interest in demand avoidance, and the systemic barriers neurodivergent people face in accessing education.
Kate is also Chief Communications Officer at NeuroClastic, an Autistic led social justice organisation, where a significant part of her work has focused on the communication rights, autonomy and inclusion of nonspeaking people. She was instrumental in organising and presenting at Penn State’s first Autistic-led conference platforming spellers as educators, and works alongside individuals and organisations internationally to challenge assumptions about neurodivergence, communication, and competence.
Kate is multiply neurodivergent (Autistic and ADHD, epileptic and prone to frequent motor mishaps). Hills she will die on include presuming competence, the Oxford comma, and the therapeutic value of dissent.
Karen Cherry is an AuDHD, neuroinclusive coach, educator, and trainer specialising in trauma-informed support for autistic and neurodivergent individuals, particularly those who identify with PDA. Karen has delivered training internationally and consulted with education, CJS and professionals on PDA for the past 10 years. Karen brings lived experience and expert insight to help families, professionals, and organisations shift from traditional approaches toward compassionate, collaborative support.
Her work is grounded in trauma-responsive principles, valuing autonomy, curiosity and co-regulation.
Karen is passionate about reframing how we think about behaviour, rest, regulation and learning — inviting audiences to rethink assumptions and embrace relational ways of being that support true inclusion and human potential.
We will explore PDA (Pathological Demand avoidance) together, how demands are experienced by our nervous systems, how this might show up in your practice and look at approaches that may support your spellers. We invite participation, conversation and questions.
Yea, it's Break Time; let's get up and move!
Trish is a Certified S2C Practitioner with clients based in London, Kent and Surrey. She practises independently and shares her story and practitioner work on her webpage called “The Threads of Life” that is a podcast and monthly newsletter. Her own amazing speller Henry is the youngest of three children who has made her a better person and S2C has changed their lives.
https://thethreadsoflife.co.uk
Claire is an S2C practitioner and founder of RareBird Communication Community Interest Company. Her background is in both Education and Project Delivery. She is a proud mama to her own Little RareBird.
Drawing on their own experiences of developing S2C practices, Claire and Trish will share practical insights into setting up and establishing a sustainable practice. They will explore key considerations including choosing the right practice model, getting started, building a client base, managing administration and prioritising effectively. The session will also consider the challenges of growing a practice while staying grounded in your values and maintaining the quality and integrity of your work. Expect practical ideas, honest reflections and lessons learned along the way.
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.
Every practitioner has a role in how S2C is understood. What we say publicly, how we talk about spellers, and whose perspectives we make room for all matter. This session will look at how to advocate clearly and responsibly, respond to common questions, and represent the work with care while keeping nonspeakers at the center.
Time for lunch and a visit with our exhibitors!
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.
Anna is the owner of and Lead Practitioner at PALZ Ireland. PALZ is a Spelling To Communicate Hub based in Co. Kildare, Ireland 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! Anna is also Faculty at I-ASC and is honoured to lead new Cohorts of Practitioners through their training and mentoring them on their journey.
Suzanne O’Hara is a Certified i-ASC S2C Practitioner, providing ‘S2C with SUZ’ from Limavady, Northern Ireland.
As the founder of the Spellers Northwest non-profit S2C community group, Suzanne is passionate about creating connection, support, and opportunities for individuals and families within the S2C community. Above all, Suzanne is a proud parent to her son, Connor, whose journey continues to inspire her work and advocacy.
Designed specifically for S2C practitioners, this presentation explores clinical strategies to transition purposeful motor skills beyond the letterboard and into real-world applications. We will discuss how to design creative, high-regulation motor tasks that help nonspeaking clients generalize their intentional movement patterns into daily life in a creative and fun setting. This session will empower you to support your spellers in confidently navigating purposeful motor off the board and into the world.
Joanne Watson is a certified Spelling to Communicate (S2C) Practitioner based in Winchester, England, inspired by her son Thomas’s journey following his autism diagnosis. After discovering S2C and I-ASC in 2021, Joanne experienced the transformative impact of letterboard communication and became one of the first UK S2C practitioners in 2024. She is passionate about supporting nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking individuals to reveal their voices, demonstrate their intelligence, and build greater autonomy. Joanne also advocates alongside her family for the presumption of competence for nonspeakers across the UK.
Hilde Lorentzen is a certified Spelling to Communicate (S2C) Practitioner based in Norway. She discovered S2C in 2023 and introduced it to her son Edward, now 13, who became one of the first spellers in Norway to communicate through S2C. Hilde later completed her S2C Practitioner training alongside special educator Vilde Ottem-Guii, and together they became the first certified S2C Practitioners in the Nordic countries.
They co-founded The Spelling Code Learning Centre, which Hilde now leads. From Stavekoden, Norway, Hilde works with spellers and families across Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
With a background in journalism and social science, Hilde combines direct practice with advocacy, education and public engagement. At the heart of her work is a commitment to changing attitudes, challenging low expectations and opening doors that have too often remained closed to nonspeaking people.
Strong parent - practitioner partnerships are central to a successful S2C journey. We will explore how clear foundations, shared expectations and thoughtful preparation can help families feel supported and confident from the outset. We’ll look at practical approaches to coaching CRP skills, alongside common challenges that may arise and ways practitioners can respond while maintaining S2C principles and a strong relationship with the speller. Throughout, the focus is on developing confident, skilled and reflective communication partners, while recognising that confidence and practical skills grow over time through experience, practice and support.
Yea, it's Break Time; let's get up and move!
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.
Anna is the owner of and Lead Practitioner at PALZ Ireland. PALZ is a Spelling To Communicate Hub based in Co. Kildare, Ireland 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! Anna is also Faculty at I-ASC and is honoured to lead new Cohorts of Practitioners through their training and mentoring them on their journey.
Your questions - Their experience! Join two senior S2C practitioners for a lively Q&A exploring the realities, quandaries, rewards and challenges of supporting spellers and families. With no set agenda, bring your questions, your curiosity and the things you’ve been wondering about. This is your opportunity to ask, explore and learn from their experience.
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.
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.
Join EV to open the UK S2C Summit and set the stage for the conversations ahead. She’ll introduce the 4 Rs that ground I-ASC’s work: Replicability, Reliability, Responsibility, and Researchability. Together, they give us a way to examine our practice, ask better questions, and keep the needs and perspectives of nonspeaking people at the center of this work.
Dr. Mary Doherty is an autistic Consultant Anaesthetist and Clinical Associate Professor at the School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland. She is the founder of Autistic Doctors International and developed the Autistic SPACE framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare. Her research interests include healthcare for autistic people and experiences of autistic medical students and doctors, and she is currently exploring the experiences of autistic psychiatrists. As mother of 2 autistic young people, Mary is passionate about optimising mental and physical health for the autistic community. She believes that moving from traditional deficit framing of autism to a neurodiversity affirmative approach is the way forwards.
Jonathan Delafield-Butt is Professor of Child Neurodevelopment and Autism, and Director of
the Laboratory for Innovation in Autism at the University of Strathclyde. His work examines
the origins of experience within embodied and emotional foundations of psychological
development, giving attention to the subtle but significant motor disruption evident in autism
spectrum disorder. He took his Ph.D. in Developmental Neurobiology at the University of
Edinburgh Medical School before extending to Developmental Psychology advancing
intersubjectivity theory in postdoctoral work at the Universities of Edinburgh and
Copenhagen. He held scholarships at Harvard University and the Institute for Advanced
Studies at the University of Edinburgh for science-philosophy bridgework on the nature of
brain and mind. Delafield-Butt trained pre-clinically in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, is a
member of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, the International Society for
Autism Research, the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, and trustee of Human Development
Scotland.
Alexandra Woolgar is Professor of Integrative and Systems Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge and Deputy Director of the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit. Her research investigates the neural basis of flexible cognitive control, attention and behaviour, examining how information is represented, exchanged and transformed across brain regions. She uses advanced neuroimaging and brain-stimulation techniques, including fMRI, MEG, EEG and TMS, and develops methods to investigate cognition and language in non-speaking autistic people.
What questions are researchers asking about communication, movement, and the experiences of nonspeaking people? Jonathan Delafield-Butt, Alex Woolgar, and Mary Doherty will each share a perspective from their research and discuss why the nonspeaking community needs to be included in the work ahead. Together, their presentations offer a chance to hear where research is headed, consider the questions still unanswered, and explore what becomes possible when nonspeaking people help shape the questions being asked.
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.
Apraxia can affect far more than speech. It can make it difficult to initiate, coordinate, and carry out purposeful movements, even when a person knows exactly what they want to do or say. In this session, EV will explore how motor challenges can shape communication and why observable output may not reflect a nonspeaking person’s understanding. She will share practical ways to recognize these challenges, support regulation and motor learning, and build access to more reliable communication.
Yea, it's Break Time; let's get up and move!
Lucy Drever is a Certified S2C Practitioner in Hampshire, England. Lucy has over 15 years of experience supporting nonspeaking individuals, having worked with both children and adults in her previous role as a qualified Positive Behaviour Support practitioner. Throughout her career Lucy has focused on improving the quality of life, inclusion and outcomes for nonspeakers, with a strong foundation in person-centred, strengths based and trauma informed practice.
Max Whelan is a 23 year old non-speaking autistic and lives in Dublin with his two wonderful dads and two siblings. Max loves movies, going away with his family and hanging out with them at home, going to the gym and music. For the first time, life seems bright, and Max has hope for the future and his life because of S2C (Spelling To Communicate).
Max is hoping to one day go to college to study film.
Tom Watson is a 27 year old nonspeaker who lives near Winchester, England. He has been spelling to communicate (S2C) for around five years.
Tom is passionate about advocating for S2C to be recognised as a valid and effective means for nonspeakers to express their own thoughts, opinions and ideas. His ultimate goal is to see S2C introduced and made accessible in special needs schools across the country, giving more nonspeaking individuals the opportunity to communicate and be heard.
Tom loves staying active and enjoys swimming, cooking and travelling (particularly when his travels involve S2C). He shares his experiences, thoughts and advocacy through his social media on Facebook and Instagram.
We are used to looking at ‘behaviour’ and asking what it means. Functional approaches encourage us to look for patterns, context and purpose - but what happens when the body itself cannot reliably express intention? For nonspeaking people with apraxia, what happens on the outside may not reliably reflect what is happening on the inside. This presentation invites us to look again at how we interpret behaviour. By bringing motor differences into the conversation, we will explore what we sometimes miss through functional interpretation.
Dr Keri Cole is a counselling psychologist and Spelling to Communicate™ practitioner in training, with over 18 years’ experience supporting autistic individuals, their families, and people with global learning disabilities. She also brings four years’ experience of working psychotherapeutically with brain injury survivors.
Keri’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to listening to and learning from those whose voices are too often overlooked. She has published a literature review highlighting the absence of nonspeaking autistic perspectives in research and practice, and has continued this focus through her doctoral research on “listening beyond words”—exploring how the lived experiences of nonspeaking autistic adults can meaningfully shape and improve psychotherapeutic practice.
Alongside her role in an NHS community learning disability service, Keri supports a young nonspeaking individual and his family through Spelling to Communicate. Her approach is trauma-informed, person-centred, and grounded in a strong belief in presuming competence.
Keri is passionate about creating more equitable access to therapeutic services for nonspeaking individuals, and is dedicated to encouraging clinicians to listen more closely, think more openly, and learn directly from the people they support
This presentation explores trauma as an internal experience rather than an event, and how the responses of nonspeaking people are too often understood only as behaviours. Scraping the iceberg surface, it looks at trauma within dysregulated bodies and the complex, layered responses that emerge when the body reacts beyond one’s control. Drawing on direct lived experiences courageously shared by nonspeaking advocates, it invites us to listen to their words with empathy and, perhaps, to be brave enough to open difficult conversations so that these experiences are not carried alone.
Time for lunch and a visit with our exhibitors!
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.
What do spellers want us to understand about their lives, their communities, and the way others see them? In this panel, spellers will share their experiences and perspectives on the topics that matter to them. The floor is theirs. Come ready to listen.
Ollie is 11 years old from the town Hythe in Kent, England. Ollie wants people to know that he is intelligent. He is interested in history and maths and his hopes for the future is to study at university.
Henry O’Dwyer is 15 years old and comes from South Africa. His interests are only his Mom, his relatives in SA and sometimes tortoises. He so badly wants others to know how intelligent he is. His goal is to educate those in schools to use S2C and he quite often hopes his travels will take him to the Galápagos Islands to see giant tortoises.
Annabelle is 18 years old and lives near Winchester in the UK.
Her interests are wheelchair dancing, swimming and horse riding.
What matters to Annabelle is living with people that understand she is intelligent and have love for who she is.
Annabelle’s future goals are to be able to access an education that is able to keep her brain occupied.
Luke Payton is 31 and lives in Glasgow, Scotland. He is a keen cyclist and enjoys a wide range of activities, including archery, squash, kayaking, working out at the gym, playing pool and socialising with friends.
Luke is passionate about spelling access for non-speakers and wants people to understand just how “mind-blowingly awful” apraxia can be.
Looking to the future, Luke has ambitious goals. He would like to study Demography at university, travel extensively and, one day, visit space.
Kobi is a young dude who takes life as it comes. He has a genuine love of life and enjoys being outdoors, spending time in nature, playing basketball, eating biltong, and listening to music. His favourite genres include jazz, pop, old-school hits, and the classics.
Kobi was born in South Africa, where his communication journey with S2C began. He lives in London with his mum, dad, and younger sister, and is part of a vibrant and supportive extended family. Kobi is currently in full-time education and continues to develop his communication skills while embracing new experiences, relationships, and opportunities.
Helen Adderley is a Certified S2C Practitioner in Wrexham, North Wales. She has three grown-up sons, one of whom started his Spelling to Communicate journey in March 2023. Helen enjoys writing lessons on a vast array of subjects and then sharing the products of her curiosity with spellers. The book she wrote with Elizabeth Vosseller, called "Book of British-Themed S2C Lessons" was published in December 2024 and is sold to aid the work of I-ASC. A second book of brand new lessons is in production, aimed at supporting the parents, carers, and CRPs of the nonspeaking community.
What do we mean by getting engaged and why is it important? As Parents, CRP’s and Practitioners how do we engage with our Spellers? This presentation will answer those questions and more. The latest updates in formatting changes to S2C lessons and hints and tips on how to construct an interesting lesson, as well as what to avoid, all included! This presentation will be jam-packed!
Yea, it's Break Time; let's get up and move!
Joanne Watson is a certified Spelling to Communicate (S2C) Practitioner based in Winchester, England, inspired by her son Thomas’s journey following his autism diagnosis. After discovering S2C and I-ASC in 2021, Joanne experienced the transformative impact of letterboard communication and became one of the first UK S2C practitioners in 2024. She is passionate about supporting nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking individuals to reveal their voices, demonstrate their intelligence, and build greater autonomy. Joanne also advocates alongside her family for the presumption of competence for nonspeakers across the UK.
Moving into open communication can feel like a big step but it doesn’t have to be daunting. This session explores how to recognise when the time may be right for you and your speller, and how to approach this important transition with confidence. We’ll share practical strategies for taking those first steps, building skills and supporting your speller through the process. With the right preparation, patience and support, those steps can open the door to a whole new world of 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.
Moving beyond the stencil is an exciting milestone, but there is no single path or timeline that fits every speller. Elizabeth Vosseller will explore how to recognize readiness, build the motor skills needed for the laminate and keyboard, and adapt support as those skills develop. The session will offer a practical look at how thoughtful instruction and patience can help spellers expand their communication options.
Max Whelan is a 23 year old non-speaking autistic and lives in Dublin with his two wonderful dads and two siblings. Max loves movies, going away with his family and hanging out with them at home, going to the gym and music. For the first time, life seems bright, and Max has hope for the future and his life because of S2C (Spelling To Communicate).
Max is hoping to one day go to college to study film.
Soul is desperate. Trapped in a body that won’t cooperate; that wants to, but can’t listen, Soul feels lost, alone, and misunderstood. Knowing the only way to be heard is for them to work together, Soul issues a desperate plea to Body.
Based on his own experiences as a nonspeaker, Max Whelan’s brilliant, searing debut play brims with humour and heart. Unveiled is unapologetically political, challenging assumptions and demanding a new approach to communication and education.
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.
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.
For Practitioner Day on Oct. 16, please make your way to the Jewellery Quarter Room.
For the General admission day on Oct. 17, please make your way to the Noble Room.
Due to the many food preferences and allergies of our attendees, we do not provide meals at the conference.
Here are some recommended options for you:
Additional details can be found on the University website
Recommended parking locations include:
University of Birmingham Pritchatts Road Car Park (15 minute walk)
University of Birmingham North Car Park (5 minute walk)
Pay-and-display and RingGo options are available in many campus car parks.
Blue Badge parking is available throughout campus.
All car parks can get very busy, especially on weekdays, so early arrival is recommended.
The interactive campus map which includes all parking locations can be found here:https://campusmap.bham.ac.uk/
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 September 15, 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 September 15th, 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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