The email came from the parent of another adult speller. It included a memo from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services that launched me from 0 to 10 on the anger scale in an instant. Basically, the memo from the Director of Supportive Technology was stating that ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) does not support the use of Spelling to Communicate due to a lack of credible evidence of beneficial effects and the risk of potential harm. Given that Spelling to Communicate finally gave my son his voice after thirty years of ineffective therapies provided by the so-called experts at ASHA, I was astounded to find that they are still trying to discredit the very help that so many nonspeakers need.
I fully realize that not all nonspeakers respond to the same therapy methods, each person is unique, but clearly, if they listen to the parents, and more importantly to the spellers, they would know that the only harm that can come is from ignoring this potential life changing support to those who have been locked in silence for years. Yes, while they are learning, the spellers need support to learn how to move their arm to poke the correct letters. But as they practice over time it is clear that they are in charge of the board. Some of the critics of Spelling to Communicate believe that the person who is holding the board is actually the one speaking through the words that are spelled out. This is clearly not the case. I have documented repeatedly that Micah spells far better than I do, therefore what he is spelling out is clearly from him as I sometimes have to google the words he spells to know what they mean.
Currently there are a number of ongoing evidenced based studies of Spelling to Communicate that are focused on proving the effectiveness of this communication method. I understand the need for conclusive studies, but do not understand how ASHA has the clout to try to shut down help to those who need it. It seems like a turf issue that only hurts those who are being held back from communicating. What possible harm can come from holding a board that has the alphabet on it in front of nonspeaker and training them to point to the letters so they can spell out what they want, need, or think? There is no logic in their fears surrounding this support for nonspeakers.
Thankfully there are some speech therapists who have witnessed the benefits of Spelling to Communicate and are trying to share this with their colleagues. They should be supported as trail blazers of truth at ASHA, not criticized for not following the hurtful mandates of the organization. How I wish my son had that the benefit of Spelling to Communicate years ago. How thankful I am that we finally were introduced to this communication method that has radically improved his life. If you know any speech therapists, please share that the spellers and their families need them to buck the system that is trying to keep so many people in silence. Their fear of this simple but powerful method is holding those who need it hostage. That needs to change now.
Jan Lessard Peightell January 20, 2026
