What is Spelling to Communicate (S2C)?
Spelling to Communicate (S2C) is a communication approach for nonspeaking and minimally speaking individuals that supports access to communication through spelling. For individuals who have difficulty fully expressing themselves using speech, S2C offers a fundamentally different foundation than traditional speech therapy approaches. We’d love the opportunity to talk with you about those differences and explore whether S2C may be a good fit.
We provide S2C services at our Munroe Falls (primary) location and now also serve clients in Columbus, supporting individuals across childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
If you’d like to learn more or look at scheduling options, simply fill out our contact form and we’ll reach out to you for a free phone consultation.
What is Apraxia?
Apraxia is a disconnect between the brain and the body.
The individual knows what they want to say, but their body has difficulty reliably carrying out the motor plan needed for speech or movement.
How Spelling to Communicate Supports Apraxia
Spelling to Communicate directly supports the brain–body connection by reducing motor demands and providing structured, intentional access to movement. By supporting regulation and motor planning, S2C allows language to be expressed without relying on unreliable speech motor systems. It relies on gross motor arm movements instead of fine motor movements such as speech, writing, or sign language.
See S2C in Practice
Spellers (Documentary:2023)
Watch for free on youtube
Our S2C Team
Samantha Fox, M.A., CCC-SLP
Founder • Speech-Language Pathologist • S2C PractitionerSam became a certified Spelling to Communicate Practitioner in August 2021. She is thrilled to be one of the first Spelling to Communicate Practitioners in Ohio. Supporting communication in non-speaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking individuals is her greatest passion.
Emma Fiorita,
MOT, OTR/L
Clinical Director • Occupational Therapist • S2C
Practitioner
Emma became a certified S2C Practitioner through I-ASC in August 2023. She could not be more excited to use her expertise in motor-planning to help give a voice to non-speakers and support their autonomy throughout their daily activities!
Kayley Keller
S2C PractitionerKayley became an S2C Practitioner in May 2025. Kayley Keller is a passionate advocate for non-speakers, inspired by her brother’s success with S2C, and is dedicated to empowering individuals to find their voice and fostering inclusion through communication.
Taryn Cook, MS, CTRS
Recreation Therapist • S2C PractitionerTaryn became an S2C Practitioner in May 2025. She is dedicated to empowering Spellers through purposeful activities, fostering communication & supporting their journey toward a fulfilling life. Her background as a Recreation Therapist prepares her to increase autonomy through regulation & fun!
Mallory Chizek
S2C Practitioner-in-TrainingUseful Links
- Overview of S2C: Spelling to Communicate - Growing Kids Therapy Center - YouTube
- Interview with JB Handley (His son learned Spelling to Communicate) Underestimated: An Autism Miracle with JB and Jamie Handley - YouTube
- Link to purchase the book “Underestimated” (highly recommended by many of my spelling to communicate families): Underestimated: An Autism Miracle (Children’s Health Defense): Handley, J. B., Handley, Jamison: 9781510766365: Amazon.com: Books
- Video of speller, Gregory Tino, using letterboards to share his message: Gregory Tino on S2C or Spelling to Communicate - YouTube
- Video of an unreliable speaker using S2C to explain how his speech does not represent his true thoughts: https://fb.watch/ip9uVfITyH/
- Frequently asked questions about S2C: FAQs – Growing Kids Therapy Center
- Web page with additional information: Spelling to Communicate | S2C | I-ASC
- Recent Research: Eye-tracking reveals agency in assisted autistic communication | Scientific Reports (nature.com)
- Non-speaker (types to communicate) presents at the American Speech, Language, & Hearing Association's Annual Conference 2022: SLPs as AAC Gatekeepers | CommunicationFIRST
Research to Support Spelled Communications
- Eye-tracking reveals agency in assisted autistic communication | Scientific Reports (nature.com)
- Literacy in nonspeaking autistic people - Vikram K Jaswal, Andrew J Lampi, Kayden M Stockwell, 2024 (sagepub.com)
Anecdotal Evidence from families & professionals:
Over 150 peer-reviewed articles supporting spelling methodologies that lead to typing can be found here: