David Kaufer Shares Why He Is Bringing SPELLERS To Edmonds
This documentary is presented by David and Renee Kaufer of Edmonds, WA, the parents of Stone, who was finally able to share his thoughts, insights, and dreams with his family after being introduced to S2C (Spelling To Communicate) in September 2022. We are one of 1000s of families inspired to change society’s perception of autistic individuals for good by sharing this life-changing communication method. As Stone writes, “I think it would be a helpful opportunity to educate many others and a good way to show people my strong capabilities. Just because I can’t speak doesn’t mean I can’t talk.” This is powerful film for every parent, relative, friend, teacher, and therapist of a non speaker. We should never underestimate their capabilities and, instead, work together to unlock their knowledge and share their voices. If you’d like to learn more about this method of communication, please visit: https://i-asc.org/.
What if everything you thought you knew about autism was wrong?
Inspired by the book Underestimated, the new full-length documentary SPELLERS challenges conventional wisdom regarding a group relegated to society’s margins: non-speakers with autism, who most “experts” believe are cognitively disabled.
As the film opening asks, “What if we’ve been wrong…about every single one of them?” SPELLERS answers that question, in convincing fashion, through the stories of eight non-speakers—Aydan, Evan, Sid, Maddie, Jamie, Vince, Cade, and Elizabeth—who all found their voice through the miraculous process of using a letterboard to communicate their thoughts and feelings. As Jamie explains, “we think, feel, and learn just like everyone else.”
The film blends beautiful cinematography with heart-wrenching stories of these eight spellers and a strong message for every parent of a non-speaker: your child can do this, too. SPELLERS also demands that teachers, schools, and therapists wake up to the reality that we may have underestimated the abilities of more than 50 million people worldwide.
WATCH THE OFFICIAL TRAILER FOR SPELLERS
WHY SPELLERS IS IMPORTANT & WHAT IS TO BE GAINED
“I hope this film sparks a worldwide shift in how we raise, educate, support, and empower non-speakers. Under this new paradigm, educators will question everything they thought they knew about autism and become aware of the life-changing impact that addressing apraxia has on non-speakers. As more & more parents learn to communicate with their autistic children, their hopes of truly knowing their child’s thoughts, feelings & dreams will finally become tangible. Last but not least, for every student who begins to spell and type as a result of this film… I hope you’re ready to take charge of your own life and change the world with your unleashed voice and infinite potential! We have been waiting for you!”
DAWNMARIE GAIVIN
Founder
Spellers Center
San Diego, CA
“My hope is that SPELLERS will not only make you question everything you have ever thought and believed about non-speaking autism, but also leave you with a sense of hope and promise that will trigger a cascade of change. Non-speakers have been patiently waiting for us to move beyond what we see on the outside and believe in their abilities on the inside. As a professional who has worked with non-speakers for many years, I want all who see SPELLERS to challenge themselves to rethink what it means to live in a world without the ability to speak. SPELLERS will transform families, professionals, non-speakers, and speakers alike!”
DANA JOHNSON, PHD.
Founder
Spellers Center
Tampa, FL
