" The Spellers Guidebook is one of the most important entries into our libraries of parent advice books today. When we 'assume competence,' support and break down motor planning, and work with fine motor deficits, including visual motor skills, we can tap into the gifts and emotions of our nonspeakers. If you know anyone whose verbal communication skills are unreliable, limited, or nonexistent, this book is the key to unlocking their thoughts, feelings, and more. Thank you, DM and Dana, for helping us understand that 'not speaking' does not mean 'not competent.'" --Patricia S. Lemer, MEd, LPC, author of Outsmarting Autism , director emeritus, Epidemic Answers " The Spellers Guidebook is required reading for anyone who is curious about the Spellers' Method of communication for non-speakers. This book provides a comprehensive, yet user-friendly overview of how to get started on your own nonspeaker's spelling journey. Dr.

Dana Johnson and Dawnmarie Gaivin have done an excellent job describing the basis for and the logistics of this new, groundbreaking modality that provides robust communication for all autistic children and adults who are nonspeakers or unreliable speakers." --Brian Hooker, PhD, chief scientific officer, Children's Health Defense and father of speller, Steven Hooker "This is the miracle manual for which the parents of nonspeaking children have long been waiting. If you've tried everything and feel hopeless, rouse yourself one final time to read this fantastic book and take action to help your child break through years of silence. My daughter was twenty-three years old when she made her breakthrough. The first session she was melting down and I had Dawnmarie ask her, 'Do you have faith that this can work?' With a shaking finger, she spelled her first word. 'NO.' Three months later, I had Dawnmarie ask my daughter the same question and she spelled 'ABSOLUTELY.' Our nonspeaking children are desperate to communicate with the world and show their intelligence.

I believe this program can work for any child." --Kent Heckenlively, JD, New York Times bestselling author "This guide is a must-read for families seeking communication and hope for their nonspeaking loved one. Having once taken communication for granted, I can't convey how hard it has been to accept the news that our daughter may never speak. However, after reading this book and working with the Spellers team on motor and regulation preparation for her to spell, Spellers has become our path for unlocking limitless opportunities and capabilities for our young daughter." --Meg Gill, entrepreneur and cofounder of Golden Road Brewery; named Forbes 30 under 30 (2014) "Spelling as a path to communication is life-changing and transformative in the lives of nonspeakers and their loved ones. When my son, Nicholas, who has autism and limited/sometimes unreliable speaking skills, developed the ability to communicate through a letterboard, he spelled out, 'Spelling has freed me from my silent prison.' That's when I understood the depth of my son's thoughts and capabilities that I had been unaware were trapped inside him. For new and seasoned parents, this Spellers Guidebook is the perfect companion to take along the journey with your loved one who is learning this method of communication.

You'll undoubtedly have questions as you move forward, and all are well answered in these pages. I am excited for all readers because I know that the possibilities are endless of what spelling can unleash for others like my son." --Jacqueline Laurita, TV personality and mother to speller, Nicholas.