Communication Alternatives in Autism: Perspectives on Typing and Spelling Approaches for the Nonspeaking

When your child is diagnosed with autism, you are told by almost every "expert" that the single most evidence-based therapeutic treatment is Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). It is a very expensive, time-consuming, often uninsured method, and many autistics who have achieved reliable communication will tell you that they were traumatized by their time spent in ABA therapies.This book exists to show you another way. Full disclosure: my son does communicate by spelling. So, I was not so much the target audience with this book as I am an advocate for the message it sends. I am often in the position of wanting to clearly explain the possibilities that spelled communication presents without sounding like a fanatic mom. While I have no problem BEING a fanatic mom, I have learned that the whiff of fanatacism often shuts the listener down. This book will be a great tool in my toolbox for showing what we have found in our family, in a logical and well-organized way.Pure behaviorists (practitioners of ABA mentioned above) will tell you that what our kids do isn't "real." They claim it's the ideomotor effect, and that our students can't possibly have the intelligence to do this. First, it's deeply offensive to me that my son's work product would be so roundly dismissed, rather than studied. Second, if even ONE student has achieved independent communication by using this pathway, then it IS real -- at the very least, some of the time. Why not put our energy into understanding that better? Dismissing all of the kids using these methods because you see that only a few have reached the so-called finish line is the proverbial throwing out the baby with the bath water. Where would our neurotypical kids be if we treated their education the way we treat that of autistics? The only difference between them and my child is perception. I'm here to tell you: get over it. Your outdated ideas will not come between my child and his future.I agree with Dr. Pena in this book where she discusses how more research is needed. That being said, what these nonspeaking autistics are teaching us is that our understanding of autism through the behavioral model is wrong. And they deserve to be heard, and taken seriously, just as much as the critics are.

Sadly, there will be a lot of backlash to this wonderful book, mostly from professionals whose bottom line depends on families and insurance companies buying into the myth that a person who looks and behaves oddly can’t think. Dr. Pena confronted her son’s team about the possibility of Diego using an alternate method of communication, since speech didn’t seem possible. She was told that it was “too soon.” At six years of age, you want to communicate NOW. And when you can’t, you let your body speak. Then the behaviorists swoop in and withhold things from you until you act appropriately, and the vicious cycle begins. Dr. Pena has the wisdom to step away and let the real experts describe their experiences: the ones who live in autism. The next time someone tells you that FC or RPM are pseudosciences, ask them if they have actually met someone who types with minimal or no support. Chances are they haven’t, because they risk seeing something that is at odds with their beliefs. Kudos to Edlyn Pena for this book. It should be required reading in every college.

What a terrific compilation written by the single most marginalized group of people in society - those who cannot rely on spoken language to communicate. Insightful, beautiful, and uplifting; these are the people who are leading the way. Everyone should read this enlightening book.

Now, here is a textbook which accurately portrays the inner workings of many nonspeaking autistics! Finally. I am so impressed with the content, and do hope that anyone, professional or family members, will read this.

Every word is so important for the world to absorb. Reading about the experiences of people who are non speaking is a must. I have had the honor of personally meeting several of the authors and I have seen them express themselves through alternative forms of communication. When you see it with your own eyes you will be left inspired.

As a principal of a school for neurodivergent students, I am always looking for innovative resources to help educate and inspire our staff. And, wow, Communication Alternatives in Autism is our new favorite required reading for not only our staff, but our parents and students, too. We have tremendous gratitude for Dr. Pena and the 10 powerful self-advocate authors, who take us on a journey to help us better understand sensory and motor differences and and how presuming competence, multi-modal communication supports (along with best practices), can enrich, empower and save lives. To top it off, our teachers are reading excerpts from the self-advocate chapters to our students (ages 6-14), which has stimulated rich discussion and provided a sense of community for our students. We appreciate the brave efforts, research and the passion that went into this publication. We will be reading and recommending Communication Alternatives in Autism for years to come...it has our absolute HIGHEST recommendation!

Loved the openness of each of the author sharing their stories with vulnerability not often shown by most people. Learning directly from autistic people is the only way to get a sense of what supports each individual needs. Changing the paradigm for the non-speaking isn’t an easy task. I admire and respect each author for their thoughts as well as solutions and their willingness to be advocates for all non-speaking individuals. They are here to show they are not going away and will consistently challenge the old paradigm beliefs. The commentary at the end from the research Dr Pena is invaluable to understand why professionals cannot believe what their eyes are seeing. This book is a must have for every parent going down the spell to communicate route. It will give you hope, ideas and most of all realize that everyone deserves a voice and access to communicate in the way the works best for them.

The authors in this book are comprised of the top tier of experts on the subject of the nonspeaking autistic experience: nonspeaking autistics.This book allows the reader a variety of perspectives on a wide range of matters important to this population. It is an essential addition to any collection of important books on autism.

A much needed volume for all on the issue of catching up our education paradigms and practices to current evidence on non-speaking and mininally-speaking autistics.