Our Message To Those Who Don't Believe in Spelled Communication

Matthew: I want to ask everyone what they want to say to people who don’t believe in spelling as valid communication. I am curious about your personal experiences with people who don’t believe in your intelligence and understanding. 

Joe: The best thing I can say to those who don’t believe is why you have not tried for yourself. I think all who doubt spelling should go observe in real time. Not a video. Watch a speller in action. 

Jack: I agree because I think it is this process that is hard to really understand. When they interact with us it becomes obvious that we understand it all. Our bodies may not show it always but if people educate themselves about apraxia they will see us differently. 

Rose: This is all true. There is so much ignorance. People have to understand that autism is so not an intellectual disability. It is a motor disability. Then everything becomes clear. Really those people are stuck in ignorance. We can try to educate but only with those willing to learn. 

Chad: Yes. That is true. Some people cling to the old ways of seeing things. 

Alex: Hate that we have to to defend our competence. Advocacy is so important but only works on open minded people. The more spelling gets seen the more accessible it will seem to people. 

Maudey: I want to add to what Rosie said. Some people who are autistic also have an intellectual disability but that is not to say that all autistic people do. Autism itself is a motor and sensory issue. Our experience is having full intelligence in a body that is out of control. 

Sam: A great explanation. Learning to spell is learning to control one small part of our out of control bodies. 

Matthew: Thank you all those are great answers. Have to say I get discouraged by knowing there are people who don’t believe these words are mine. I liked what Alex said. Advocacy is important but only for those willing to listen. 

Joe: Sam I think we should explain that by spelling we don’t mean we have to learn how to string letters together. We already knew that. We mean we have to learn the motor skill of pointing to letters one by one to communicate our thoughts. In an out of control body that takes work and practice. 

Jack: My friend Suzy says that behavior is the best communication. If someone with these ignorant ideas watched all of a spelling session they will see the reaction of the spellers. See how it calms and validates a person to be heard. Then maybe they would be opened to the idea of this. 

Rosie: Wow. Wow. Wow. Such a good point Jack. Yes watch us when we spell you will see the evidence in our reactions. Spelling is a work out and challenges my body but when I spell a thought and it is listened to I will always feel better and you can see it if you look. 

Chad: Evidence like that is most important. Matt’s mom said he was smiling while he was spelling. Why would he smile is someone was making up his words?

Alex: Good points all around. Happy there is some real education in this discussion. It is very necessary. Friends this is real advocacy. 

Maudey: The truth of our words can be seen in our behavior definitely. All of our words should be believed. Why would a person feel that they have a right to decide whose words are valid and whose are not?

Sam: That is the most important and true thing. Maudey nailed it. 

Christopher: Awesome idea for a discussion, Matt. Dad thought it was too good to be true. Watching him change his mind has been the best. It is hard that belief is not a given. I get excited to prove myself to the haters. I am good at looking on the bright side. 

Matthew: Guys thanks for your answers to my questions. You are right it is better to ignore the haters.