S2C & Nonspeaking Autism FAQs | Letters of Hope
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- S2C & Nonspeaking Autism FAQs | Letters of Hope
General Questions
How do I get started with your center for my child?
First, contact us to schedule an initial consultation. During our conversation, we’ll learn about your family member’s needs, explain our services, and answer your questions.
From there, we’ll discuss next steps and guide you through enrollment if you choose to move forward.
My child communicates with AAC—what’s the benefit of a letter board?
A letterboard is one communication tool that may be considered alongside other forms of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). It provides a way to select letters to form words and sentences.
Each person’s communication needs are different. A qualified speech-language pathologist can help your family explore options and choose supports that work for your child.
Why do you say “nonspeaking” instead of “nonverbal”?
We use “nonspeaking” to describe people who do not use speech as their primary, reliable way to communicate. This can include people who do not speak, speak minimally, or cannot always rely on speech to express themselves.
We also recognize that people communicate in many ways. For example, someone may use gestures, pictures, a device, or other communication tools. We respect each person’s preferred language and way of communicating.
What does minimally speaking mean?
A minimally speaking person may use some spoken words or phrases but may need other ways to communicate more fully.
For example, they may use speech for short answers or requests while using other tools to share more detailed thoughts.
What does unreliably speaking mean?
An unreliably speaking person may be able to speak at times but may not always be able to rely on speech to express what they want to say.
For example, a person may repeat words or use familiar phrases. Their communication needs and preferred supports are individual, so we take time to learn what works for them.
Will using the letter boards improve my child’s speech?
Our focus is on supporting communication. Some families report changes in speech, but experiences vary, and we cannot promise a particular result.
If you have questions about your child’s communication needs, we encourage you to discuss them with your child’s speech-language pathologist or other qualified professional.