Spellebrate! C’mon! Spelltember 2021

I-ASC declares September as SPELLTEMBER and sought out nominations for spellers and typers to recognize and SPELLEBRATE! We were thrilled to receive nominations from families, friends, and spellers wanting to honor spellers across the globe. These nominations are a powerful testimonial about spellers and typers who are making an impact on their community. We are so impressed with this year’s spellebrities and know that you will be too!

Each speller nominated will be honored with a baseball card-inspired trading card to be shared on social media. Be sure to hover over these interactive cards to see their stats!

I-ASC’s Nonspeaking Leadership Council read the nominations, with names redacted to eliminate bias, and chose 5 spellers from each category to spotlight as ALL-STARS. The All-Star Spellebrities will have a little extra sparkle added to their spellebrity cards. You can get to know more about these remarkable All-Star Spellebrities through I-ASC’s blog interviews.

One Speller fit all four of the Spellebrity categories and was nominated by multiple people, earning the title of “Four Star” Spellebrity. This year’s Four Star Spellebrity is Wyatt Dutton! You can read Wyatt’s interview, coming soon, to learn more about his advocacy and passion for the nonspeaking community.

We found that the spellebrities represent skills, talents, and abilities in the following four different categories. Congratulations to the 2021 Spellebrities! At I-ASC, we think that EVERY nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking person who works diligently to develop the purposeful motor skills to communicate is a STAR! We love the opportunity to shine a light on the grit, perseverance, kindness, talent, and strength of the 2021 Spellebrities and love to see the growing constellation of stars in the Spellverse.

These spellers are nominated for perseverance, resilience, big gains in motor control/skills, and tenacity.

Javian Killian "The Confident"

A friendly mathematics lover, he is a smart and intelligent boy with lots of potential. Spelling only for a short time he has already made it clear he is more intelligent than we think.

Noah McSweeney "The Comedian"

Described as friendly, sensitive, and serious about his education. He works hard to overcome anxiety and stress to keep learning. He writes beautiful poetry on his letterboard, and loves to make people laugh.

Evan Zielinski "The Tribesman"

He is a remarkable young man who has great thoughts and works so hard everyday. He is described by family and friends as "Awesome" He believes he belongs to the greatest tribe of people. The Nonspeakers!

Shane Alvado "The Power-Lifter"

Described as amazingly patient, positive, intelligent, and hard-working. Taking great pride in spelling with teachers that believe in him. He also greatly enjoys power-lifting with his friends.

Logan Fair "The Wiseman"

Described as wise, extraordinary, humble, and empowering. "He is intelligent, thoughtful, with a good sense of humor." "...is far too wise for his age and helps him to understand life from a more balanced perspective.

Morgan Bellino "The Accomplisher"

Described as smart, happy, easy-going, and fun. "Morgan is an amazingly smart young man. He continues to persevere and gets better and better every day." Morgan takes great pride when "When we can accomplish something hard!"

Miguel Savedra "The Bittersweet"

"I am smart and handsome." Described as Grumpy and Handsome but sweet at the same time. Always serious. I like parties because of the cake and candy and I love being around my family and friends sharing in my own way.

Johnny Hood "The Funny Artist"

Described as funny & smart, and very dedicated. He is very creative, artistic and just learned to ride his bike. Johnny has only been doing S2C for a short time and has been able to show people how smart he is.

Dylan Lindemon "The Challenger"

Dylan has progressed so far and enjoys sharing his words of wisdom with so many people. He is smart, funny, inspirational and challenges both the nonspeaking community and the professionals to learn and grow.

Tholu Zulu "The Insightful"

Described as the noisemaker, with an excellent sense of humor, or the science nerd with good looks. He takes pride in his recently created blog. It is called Tholu's table and will launch soon.

Andy Van Schaik "The Challenger"

Described by family and friends as loving, funny, and one of a kind. Andy takes great pride in "Working as a super awesome dj schaik it up" and his "wicked cool long hair" As DJ Schaik it Up he has been throwing super coo...

These are spellers nominated as community builders and connectors who spread the benefits of spelling and typing as AAC.

Oratile Pheko "The Voice Finder"

Oratile has been spelling for just over a year now. Just eight years old, he was the first child from his school for autistic children to spell. He is so hardworking, kind, and passionate, helping others find their voice.

Matt Hayes "Hope Giver"

Described as a good friend, he encourages and gives hope every time he is around. He thinks of others all the time and helps however he can. Matt takes great pride in his courage. "I am not so afraid that I won't try."

Julia Griffith "The Perseverer"

She has long had a fire for advocacy, and is taking on that quest with great gusto! She takes pride in her refusal to give up on her hopes, goals, and dreams of becoming all she was destined to be. "I am strong."

Mitchell Robins "The Supporter"

He goes above and beyond in everything he does to be an advocate for autism and spelling. He writes an incredible blog mitchellslifewithautism.com, and goes out of his way to speak with new spellers, mentoring them.

Woody Brown "The Transcender"

His passion for learning is a daily inspiration. Working hard to transcend his challenges to be the best scholar and writer that he can be. "I find extreme gratification in that I am succeeding in the mainstream world."

Isaiah Tien Grewal "The Tireless"

Amazing, loving, hard-working, Speller and Advocate, Isaiah attained multiple college credits from Harvard Extension School. Described as a "role model," he is tirelessly working to pursue higher academics.

Divyesh Jain "The Loving Heart"

"A great guy with a loving heart." A passionate and ardent advocate for acceptance of S2C, not only a member of NLC, but an active participant in S&A. "Divyesh likes to lead S2C advocacy efforts from the front."

Caden Larson "The Path Paver"

"An unbelievable young man! He starts college this fall, being the first speller to enter this school. Paving the way for other spellers!" He takes pride in his "...ability to be the reason changes surround my friends."

Matthew McGugan "The Charming Poet"

Described as charming, handsome, funny, articulate, intelligent, and much more. "I don’t get described as autistic first but a person with many skills and possibilities." "I discovered that I am a good poet..."

Tom Stephenson "The Empathetic"

A good friend, loving son, and brother. The only speller at his school, incredibly smart, loves to communicate and is passionate about his right to have a voice; with pride in communicating empathy towards others.

Anshil Kumar "The Bright Light"

Anshil takes great pride in his blog and advocating for others like himself. "It is my mission to share my story with as many people as possible." Anshil is called a bright light in family and friends lives.

Joey Lowenstein "The Hurdler"

Described as funny, lighthearted, motivated, inspirational, with complexities that make him unique. Focusing on the simple joys to overcome the many burdens, Joey takes great pride in his ability to overcome hurdles.

Spellers who were nominated for their leadership, advocacy, self-advocacy, and change-making.

William Tziavaras "The Standup"

He is an advocate through blogging and a pioneer, inspiring spellersto try newthings like standup comedy. He takes pride in learning to stay calm in difficult situations. "It has to be my greatest accomplishment to date."

Vikram Kumar "The Sensitive"

Described with a silent & sensitive persona, his typing has led to his expression that has been blessed with an affinity for verse to express what other non-speaking autistic individuals may be going through.

Ben Crimm "The Determined"

Kind, thoughtful, observant, and determined to achieve his goals. Taking pride in using his communication skills to advocate for himself and others, so they have autonomy and agency to live the lives they hope for.

Amelia Bell "The Good Finder"

Always supportive and understanding , and described as caring, thoughtful, "a really awesome friend and really smart. ...she finds the good in all things and makes me smile." She is most proud of her ability to persevere.

Emily Grodin "The Life Taster"

Motivated, determined, loves to travel, hike, and enjoy delicious food. "I am most proud of my educational accomplishments. Never thought college was an option for me, and I have completed most of my credits."

Elizabeth Bonker "The Missioner"

Not only flourishing at college, but she has dedicated her life to activism and advocacy for spellers around the world, helping others access communication. Described as dedicated to her mission: Communication for ALL!

Nicholas D'Amora "The Helping Cook"

Sensitive to respecting people with autism. "A person who changed all our lives. He showed us how to find our voice." Prideful in helping others find their voice. He also loves to cook.

Sarah Ackerman "The Compassionate"

Caring, motivated, and enthusiastic. "She is determined to be a strong advocate for the letterboard. It has changed her life." Taking pride in her compassion, determination, and all her efforts to advocate for nonspeakers.

Brielle Stewart "The Stunner"

Stunning, smart, and a great speller. "Brielle is one of the most faithful, kind, intelligent, encouraging and compassionate human beings I have ever met." Brielle has many talents but her musical ability stands out.

Nicolaas Paulsen "The Trail Blazer"

Doing excellent self-advocate work with his blog. He takes great pride in his blog, his silent voice, and the way his words help others. He was the first non-speaking blogger in Afrikaans in the world.

Nicolas Joncour "The Courageous"

Nicolas is a very determined person who likes to work together with others for a common cause. Described by family and friends as courageous, honest, and a strong advocate for nonspeakers.

These Nonspeaking people are nominated for their kindness, friendship, altruism, and generosity of spirit.

Mike Kane "The Kindness"

Incredibly hard-working, kind, and loves to visit with everyone. Loves to share his thoughts on autism and spelling with others in the community to help other non-speaking or unreliably speaking people.

Liya Buwa "The Braveness"

A wise seven-year-old unreliable speaker who has been spelling for 3 years. With so many health challenges in the past few months, so many doctors visits and tests done. Yet she remains brave, cheerful, loyal and sassy.

Lesedi Masalesa "The Convincer"

Selfless, loving, funny, kind, and stubborn. "I’m most proud of myself because I finally found my voice after so many years of being trapped without a meaningful form of communication."

Tarun Paul "The Deep Thinker"

Calm, soft, a happy person, smiling always. "I am proud of having lived life like other people on my own terms. I love poetry, math, music, and art because they always have patterns. Perfection is all about patterns."

Tejas Rao Sankar "The Traveler"

Described as stubborn but in a nice way, with a strong personality, self-willed, a determined mind with a dark sense of humor. A love for travel, which helps him to meet new people and experience adventurous opportunities.

Tanaka Dhliwayo "The Good See-er"

Described as playful and headstrong, as someone who does not let life keep him down too long, with energy and tenacity. His goal is to become a forensic auditor and advocate for nonspeakers.

In addition to our four Spellebrity categories, we also want to honor our Spellebrity Groups and their collaborative strength as a team through their appreciation of individual successes and support for each other’s undertakings.

Meet the Author

Elizabeth Vosseller

Elizabeth Vosseller 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. She loves to travel through the spellerverse amongst all the nonspeaking stars!