Welcome to

Communication is Key

The key to unlocking the silence.

Welcome to Communication is Key, where we open new pathways to independence and self-expression through Spelling to Communicate (S2C), a specialized technique within the broader framework of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). S2C is designed for individuals who are non-speaking, minimally speaking, or unreliably speaking. This could be someone with Autism, Down Syndrome, or other neurological challenges.

Non-speaking doesn’t mean non-thinking; it’s a motor challenge, not a reflection of cognitive ability.

a pathway to independence and self expression

All communication requires fine motor skills (hands and mouth). At Communication Is Key we take communication to a gross motor movement (the arm) and unlock the silence creating a pathway to independence and self expression.

Our Approach to S2C

At Communication is Key, we are dedicated to teaching purposeful motor skills that foster open communication. Our approach balances motor coordination, cognitive load, and the sensory system to keep the body regulated, enabling our spellers to point to letters and express their thoughts. We employ a hierarchy of letter boards, along with verbal and gestural prompts, and tiered questions through engaging, age-appropriate lessons. As new neural pathways develop through consistent motor coaching, our students gradually improve their ability to communicate independently, illustrating that communication challenges are rooted in motor control rather than cognitive function. Our method is rigorously developed and endorsed by the International Association for Spelling as Communication (I-ASC).

If you are a parent or a caregiver,  looking to work with this type of AAC,  Communication is Key is here to support your exploration and application of S2C. Dive into the resource page to learn about the profound impacts of this method, and when you’re ready, I invite you to connect with me directly. Let’s begin the journey to gifting the key to unlocking the silent voice within.

“Listening doesn’t have a look.”

For our non-speakers, listening can look different from what we neuro typical individuals perceive.  Eye contact, stillness, or other typical cues may not be present, but that doesn’t mean they are disengaged. Some individuals may need to move their bodies, walk around, read, draw or even listen to music to regulate. Their ability to listen and absorb information is not diminished by these actions — At Communication is Key we embrace all our student’s unique ways of listening and learning.

FAQs

How does S2C work?

  • Step 1: Acquisition Phase - Establishing Purposeful Motor Skills
    We begin assisting students in developing reliable motor skills by pointing to letters accurately keeping the motor and cognitive demand low. We do this using our 3 letter boards, partnered with a sequence of questions from our lessons (check out our free lessons via I-ASC). Then we pair with a hierarchy of verbal, gestural and directional prompts to ensure accuracy. This is the most crucial stage as it forms the foundational building blocks of their ability to communicate precisely.

  • Step 2: Building Consistency
    Through consistent practice, students become more proficient in pointing, progressing from three-letter boards to 26-letter boards. We gradually reduce about 90% of direct and gestural prompts, and students begin tackling more cognitively challenging questions.

  • Step 3: Application Stage - Fostering Independence
    As motor skills improve, prompting is further reduced only using continuation prompts to keep the motor flowing, allowing users to express themselves more creatively and independently. Be prepared to meet a whole new person as their ability to communicate is fully unlocked.

Why S2C?

Other communication methods are not considering the motor challenges faced by apraxia our spellers have. It is not a cognitive issue, it is a motor issue. All other methods of communication require fine motor movements of the hands and mouth. We take the fine motor out of the equation and put it into a gross motor movement (the arm). Affirming that all individuals can and should have access to open communication outside of the societal perceived “norm”, creating a new space of independence and autonomy.