At Zia Spellers, we believe that communication is a human right.
We help nonspeaking and minimally speaking individuals discover a reliable way to express themselves through person-centered, text-based communication support using the S()MA®RPM approach.
Our hope is to create a place where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to share who they are with the world.
We had the privilege of having Nicolette work with our family briefly over the summer. She is exactly what a Speller needs. I was so impressed by her calm presence and confidence in knowing how to work with my son. At the time, my son had a really difficult time regulating and was self harming a ton. Nicolette remained calm, provided sensory input where needed to help my son through challenging behaviors. She is someone I am confident Spellers will bond with. She is extremely knowledgeable about the brain and body connection and has a heart for our children to flourish. My only complaint is I wish we found Nicolette sooner.
— Lisa BoyleSo, what is spelling?
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Many nonspeaking individuals experience differences in how their brain processes sensory information and plans movement. While they often understand far more than they can express, these motor and sensory differences can make it incredibly difficult to coordinate the complex movements needed for reliable speech, gestures, or other forms of communication.
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We use the S()MA®RPM approach to engage the student through interactive learning. We begin by identifying each student's strongest channels for learning—whether visual, auditory, tactile, or kinesthetic—and build upon those strengths through engaging, age-appropriate academic instruction and individualized support.
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As students participate in meaningful learning and receive consistent motor coaching, many begin developing greater regulation, improved motor control, and a more reliable way to communicate. Using a letterboard, students learn to point to letters to spell their thoughts, ideas, questions, humor, opinions, and unique personalities. For some students, the letterboard becomes a bridge to independently typing on a keyboard, expanding the ways they can communicate with the people around them.
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At its heart, this work is about far more than spelling. It's about providing a pathway for individuals to share their authentic voice and participate more fully in their families, schools, and communities.
Get in Touch
Whether you're exploring communication support for the first time or simply have questions, we're here to help.
