Defining Keywords in the Spelling Community

This blog post was written by Kindred co-founder Nolan Shaffer.

Part of the Kindred Communication mission is to bring unity to spellers across the world. Whether a speller uses RPM, S2C, or is a neutral part of the spelling community, we are dedicated to supporting whatever method is effective for them to bring further communication. When entering into the spelling and presuming competence community, life can change dramatically. Part of this life changing journey is learning an entirely new vocabulary of keywords in the spelling community. Language is used to describe the method, paradigm and experience of “being on the boards.”

The Spelling Community:

Entering into the “spelling community” merely means that you are a part of a new way of thinking which supports the act of spelling. If you support or are open to spelling as a legitimate form of AAC, you are now part of the spelling community. 

Sensory-Motor Differences: 

Individuals who are unreliable- or non-speaking typically have a different way of processing sensory information. Our sensory processing impacts how our motor responds. Due to sensory disorganization, it is far too often that we discuss this difference as a disorder. Therefore we strive to call individuals who interpret or process senses differently as a “difference” rather than a disorder. 

Non-Speaking:

In Latin, the word “nonverbal” means without words. The spelling community does not believe people who cannot talk do not “have words”. We choose to use the language of “non-speaking because “nonverbal” insinuates that an individual can simply not speak.

Speech vs. Language:

Speech is the physical production of sound which carries meaning. Speech requires an extreme amount of control of the motor system. The mouth, tongue, lips and vocal cords all have to work together to articulate language. Language, however, is cognitive.

Presuming Competence: 

Presuming competence is the foundation of utilizing spelling to express complex thoughts, ideas and opinions. The foundation of presuming competence is the belief that an individual has the capacity to understand and comprehend what is going on around them. Some individuals may interpret sensory information differently. This difference may impact the interpretation of an experience, but this does not mean someone has less cognitive capacity. 

Letter Boards: 

There are multiple types of “letter boards.” Spellers use Stencils, Laminate ABC letter boards and QWERTY laminate boards. Some people in the spelling community also use the same language to describe keyboarding.

The 3 Stencils:

For the most part, everyone begins on the three stencils. Two out of the three stencils have nine letters and one stencil has 8 letters. Spellers begin on the three stencils because it is easier for motor demand. Once a speller has gained consistent accuracy on the three stencils, an individual begins on the twenty-six letter stencil which requires  higher motor demand.

The Laminate Board: 

The laminate board is used after an individual has gained accuracy with the twenty-six letter stencil. It is a twenty-six letter ABC-Z board 

“On the boards:” 

Being “on the boards” simply means the act of spelling through a letter board, stencil and sometimes even a keyboard. Complex communication is no longer expected through speech. It is now expected to come out through communicating on letter boards.

AAC: 

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association defines AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) as “all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. We all use AAC when we make facial expressions or gestures, use symbols of pictures, or write.” 

Sources: 

Martha R. Leary and Anne Donnellan

Autism: Sensory-Movement Differences and Diversity