The letterboard is a communication approach designed for individuals who are nonspeaking, minimally speaking, or unreliably speaking. It teaches purposeful motor skills that allow individuals to spell out words by pointing to letters on a letterboard, giving them access to fluent and meaningful communication. There are various methods such as S2C, RPM & Spellers Method.

Spellers Method specifically is rooted in the understanding that the barrier to speech is often motor-based—not cognitive—the Spellers Method focuses on building the motor control needed to accurately point to letters. With consistent practice, individuals often progress from letter boards to keyboards as their motor skills and confidence grow.

At its core, the Spellers Method operates on a foundational belief: presume competence. Every person—regardless of how they present—is capable of learning, understanding, and expressing complex thoughts. The method honours the intelligence and autonomy of nonspeakers, providing a reliable path to connection and self-expression.

Not being able to speak is not the same as not being able to think.

*Please note as author of this page I am a Spellers Method Provider hence why I chose to speak specifically on this method. Here are the resources to the other methods: 

RPM – https://www.halo-soma.org/

https://unlockingvoices.com

S2C – https://i-asc.org/ 

https://youtu.be/HoNTbUjFhv4?si=OQzkR37zJlhMgDdm

Key source: https://www.spellers.com/about-us

As a parent starting this journey, it’s completely normal to have questions—especially if you’ve been told your child is intellectually disabled. For many of us, this label came early, based on what our child couldn’t do: speak, respond to instructions, or show understanding in typical ways. But what if that label is wrong?

A Different Way of Seeing

The Spellers Method starts with a powerful belief: They are capable. We look at their challenges as motor-based—not cognitive. This means they likely understand far more than they’ve ever been able to show, because their body doesn’t always cooperate with their brain.

Why Tests Get It Wrong

Traditional assessments often rely on talking, pointing, or writing—things that many nonspeaking or minimally speaking individuals struggle with because of motor planning issues like apraxia. When a child can’t complete these tasks, the assumption is often, “they don’t understand.” But in many cases, they do—deeply.

Presume Competence

Instead of waiting for proof of intelligence, we begin by presuming it’s there. We assume your child can think, can learn, and can grow—regardless of what the tests or reports have said. This mindset shift is the heart of the Spellers Method, and it changes everything.

What You Can Do

• Speak to your child as if they understand you—because they probably do.

• Create a calm, respectful environment where your child is seen as a whole person, not a list of deficits.

• Be patient with the process of motor learning—it’s not always fast, but it’s incredibly meaningful.

You’re Not Alone

Many parents have walked this path—questioning what they’ve been told, hoping for more, and discovering just how capable their child really is once given a way to communicate.

On Thursday 14th September 2023, Act for Autism proudly sponsored the UK viewing of SPELLERS the movie as part of our ongoing mission to support individuals, their families, businesses, educational and health institutions, and professionals in the field of autism. This was one of the first UK exclusive live screenings of the award-winning film.

The film details the remarkable journey of several non-speaking autistic individuals as they “find their voice” using (S2C)™. Inspired by the best-selling book “Underestimated – An Autism Miracle,” the film challenges conventional wisdom surrounding non-speaking autistic individuals who are often mistakenly believed to be cognitively impaired by many experts.

If you would like to watch the movie, you can purchase a viewing here:

Note from Scarlett – Spellers Method Provider

I’m a proud sibling of a nonspeaking autistic individual who spells to communicate—a relationship that has shaped everything I care about. After studying Business and Management at Durham University and starting a typical career, I changed paths to train under Dawnmarie Gaivin, co-founder of the Spellers Method. Now, as a Spellers Method Practitioner, I help nonspeakers access reliable communication and be truly seen—driven by both my personal and professional experience.