What Parents Should Know About ASHA’s Position Statement on Spelling Methodologies

• By: Andrea Palerino, PhD, PPCNP-BC Utica University
• July 9th, 2026
• ASHA, augmentative and alternative communication, autism communication methods, autism research, evidence-based practice, letterboard communication, nonspeaking autistic, spelling to communicate, Summer 2026 Issue
• 5    0

Ninth grade was a turning point for my nonverbal daughter with autism. After years in a life skills classroom, she moved into an academic setting. For the first time, she was studying algebra instead of counting money and writing paragraphs instead of discussing the weather each morning. This...

My Journey to Independent Typing: One Autistic Nonspeaker’s Story

• By: Gregory C. Tino Non-Speaking Autistic Self-Advocate
• July 9th, 2026
• apraxia, assistive communication, autistic self-advocacy, communication support, independent typing, letterboard communication, nonspeaking autism, spelling to communicate, Summer 2026 Issue
• 4    0

Each autistic nonspeaker I know is trying to become independent with their communication. Of course. Why wouldn't we? If you have something to say, you want to be able to do it without help. Typing seems to be the holy grail for most. Why? Because the sad but true fact is that the...

Connecting With Nonspeakers: A Practical Guide

• By: Noah McSweeney Nonspeaking Autistic Self-Advocate, College Student, Poet, and Award-Winning Student Journalist
• July 9th, 2026
• AAC, augmentative alternative communication, communication partners, letterboard communication, nonspeaking, presuming competence, Summer 2026 Issue
• 9    0

April traditionally brings showers, but in my world, it brings Autism Awareness Month – or is it Autism Acceptance Month, or is it Autism Action Month? It seems the verbiage changes from year to year. Awareness is good, acceptance is great, but action is the key to inclusion. For me, April means...