New Direction Spelling Center

07/12/2026

The Summer 2026 edition of Autism Spectrum News has just dropped and it is awesome! The issue is centered around nonspeakers, and many nonspeakers have authored or co-authored articles.
Please take a moment to check it out and share it: [ASN Summer 2026 Issue]( https://autismspectrumnews.org/asn-summer-2026-issue/ ).
Thank you to everyone who contributed, and to editor David Minot at Autism Spectrum News for giving the spelling community broader visibility.

“Giving Voice to Nonspeakers: Communication, Advocacy, and Inclusion Across Life”

07/12/2026

Mike Walker, one of NDSC's Practitioners, is excited to be presenting at , the International Association for Spelling as Communication's conference.
Mike will be presenting on Building Groups That Work: structure, support, and participation, and he can't wait to connect with this incredible community.
✨ Join us July 31–August 2 in Reston, Virginia, for three days of learning, collaboration, and shaping a more inclusive future for all nonspeaking people.
Register today: https://i-asc.org/events/motormorphosis-conference/

07/10/2026

Meghan DiBari, one of NDSC's Practitioners, is excited to be presenting at , the International Association for Spelling as Communication's conference where the expertise of nonspeaking individuals take center stage.

This one-of-a-kind event brings together nonspeakers, advocates, educators, practitioners, researchers, families, and allies from around the world to explore the latest in communication access, motor differences, regulation, technology, policy, and Spelling to Communicate (S2C).

Meghan will be presenting on Building groups that works: structure, support, and participation, and She can't wait to share, learn, and connect with this incredible community.

✨ Join us July 31–August 2 in Reston, Virginia, for three incredible days of learning, collaboration, and shaping a more inclusive future for all nonspeaking people.

Register today: https://i-asc.org/events/motormorphosis-conference/

07/09/2026

I'm excited to go to .

This one-of-a-kind event brings together nonspeakers, advocates, educators, practitioners, researchers, families, and allies from around the world to explore the latest in communication access, motor differences, regulation, technology, policy, and Spelling to Communicate (S2C).

I'll be a panelist on the Siblings, Communication & Connection discussion, and I can't wait to share, learn, and connect with this incredible community.

✨ Join me July 31–August 2 in Reston, Virginia, for three incredible days of learning, collaboration, and shaping a more inclusive future for all nonspeaking people.

Register today: https://i-asc.org/events/motormorphosis-conference/

06/23/2026

05/03/2026

Those tiny jars of spices in your kitchen once shaped empires, inspired exploration, and even influenced the words we speak today.

In this rich lesson by S2C Practitioner in Training, Maria Galifianakis, spellers can explore how spices like cinnamon, pepper, and saffron traveled across continents, connecting cultures through trade, language, and science.

Check out the lesson and download for free: https://i-asc.org/lessons/the-astonishing-past-of-humble-spices-how-flavor-shaped-human-history/

05/03/2026

The Month of May is Apraxia Awareness Month! To increase awareness, I-ASC has launched The Star Challenge ⭐️

The Star Challenge is an activity designed to give people insight into what it feels like when intention and movement do not align, similar to the experience of individuals with apraxia.

Apraxia is a motor planning difference where the brain struggles to send clear signals to the body, and it is not related to intelligence, motivation, or understanding.

By completing a simple task under challenging conditions, participants experience how actions can become slow, effortful, and frustrating when coordination is disrupted. This activity helps build awareness of how much effort communication and daily tasks can require for people with apraxia.

Want to learn more? Check out this new lesson on The Star Challenge written by Elizabeth Vosseller, Founder of S2C and Executive Director of I-ASC: https://i-asc.org/lessons/the-star-challenge-a-glimpse-into-motor-planning/