Brothers with autism learn to communicate for the first time

Stacy Mason is a social worker with two sons, Trevor, 24, and Tyler, 22. Both have autism. Also called Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), autism presents in many ways but is most often referred to as a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges.  

 

Stacy’s sons are non-speaking but not “non-verbal.” Trevor and Tyler have been unable to communicate since birth. But that’s beginning to change. 

 

“We’ve found that their language is intact,” says Stacy. “They never had the motor skills to share their thoughts, dreams, and desires with us.” 

 

Discovery

A little over a year ago, Stacy learned about “Spelling to Communicate,” an augmentative or assistive communication method. “As a parent trainer, I was working with a family using it. They knew I had two sons who were non-speaking, and they shared what they had learned with me,” said Stacy.

 

Over the years, Stacy had tried many ways to help her sons communicate, from dietary interventions to various out-of-the-box treatments. Nothing helped until she tried Spelling to Communicate. 

 

“Spelling to Communicate is very low-tech,” said Stacy. “You start with a letter board. I encouraged my sons to use their gross motor skills to point to the board to spell words.” In a few months, Trevor and Tyler were communicating with their mother. 

 

“I was so surprised. My sons had opinions about politics and global warming and wanted to vote. They shared with us that they wanted to go to Barcelona,” Stacy said. “So, we went on a vacation to Barcelona!” 

 

Stacy cried every time her sons told her something new. “It all came out…20 years of what they had wanted to communicate to us. It’s such a gift to have this.” 

 

Stacy says some things were very profound, like her sons telling how much they appreciated all the work she had done to advocate for them. “And then there were some things I didn’t want to hear,” she chuckled. “Like, ‘Can you knock before coming into my room?'” 

Progress

Soon, Trevor and Tyler progressed from spelling on the letter board to typing on a Bluetooth keyboard that works with a text-to-speech app. Trevor and Tyler will eventually be able to type on their own. “It takes a lot of practice and is tricky,” added Stacy. “You need to help them along but not influence their responses.” 

 

Stacy’s sons are now participating by spelling in poetry and book clubs. They even share their thoughts with their doctors.  

 

“I am so happy to share this information with the members of LIFEPlan. Being able to communicate has changed my life,” Trevor said.

 

Stacy says that Tyler expressed he was depressed when he first started spelling. He was locked up within himself but now reports that his depression is gone. The hopelessness and helplessness he struggled with before he could communicate have been relieved.

 

Tyler said, “All good things have happened to me since I started spelling. I am so glad that many more people will know about Spelling to Communicate after they read this story.”

Spelling to Communicate Documentary

The Spelling to Communicate approach is featured in a new documentary, “SPELLERS.” Actor Jenny McCarthy-Walhberg and her husband Donnie serve as the executive producers. They are parents to a son who has autism.

“SPELLERS” points out that we may have underestimated the abilities of more than 50 million people. The documentary has been selected for film festivals and is being shown worldwide. Starting April 20, the public can privately screen SPELLERS online.

“My sons hope to become leaders in the spelling to communicate movement. I am currently training to become a practitioner to teach others,” said Stacy. “There’s so much catching up to do. Spelling to Communicate has allowed us to know our children for the first time.” 

 

LIFEPlan CCO does not endorse Spelling to Communicate as an alternative communication method or make any statements regarding whether people should participate in this or any other therapy. The story of LIFEPlan members is shared in recognition of the many organizations that support people in their journey with IDD.