By Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
It started with a friend’s book recommendation — “Underestimated: An Autism Miracle” by J.B. Handley. Lisa Zimmerman, mom of Talia, who has autism, says her daughter had gone through years of therapy, but the family became curious about the Spelling to Communicate (S2C) technique after reading the book. Zimmerman then connected with “Access S2C,” which provides Spelling to Communicate services that facilitate the motor skills required for communication and daily living. She shares that Spelling to Communicate “has been life changing.”
“Talia was diagnosed as autistic at age 3,” Zimmerman says. “Talia had language and then lost it. By age 4, she had minimal language skills. From age 4 to 23, she and Talia pursued many therapies with some success, but also challenges.
Zimmerman’s husband, Rob, took Talia to Access S2C the first time. Rob watched as Talia began answering questions and immediately spelling correctly. Since that initial session, Zimmerman feels that she and her husband are getting to know Talia. Using S2C, She knows Talia’s favorite color (red), that she has always wanted to go to Sweden, and that she prefers thrifting over new clothes, as she doesn’t like to waste things. It also has been able to provide Talia with a communication tool to share if something is wrong.
Talia reiterated the difference this technique has made. When asked, “What is something that makes you feel joy and happiness?” Using the S2C technique, Talia shared, “Healing my mental health by spelling to communicate.”
For more info, visit accesss2c.com or
spellers com/spellers-movie for the documentary.
