Spelling for communication is a transformative method that empowers nonspeaking individuals to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas through spelling and typing. This practice of poking at letters purposefully helps individuals with apraxia and other motor challenges overcome communication barriers. Using keyboards and letterboards unique to each individual’s motor profile, we foster motor skills, build fluency, and offer a path to open communication for nonspeakers and their families. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or professional, Empowered Voices provides a blueprint for unlocking limitless possibilities for those who have been silenced but are ready to be heard.Â
We provide sessions weekly but can work with your speller on the right schedule for them.
Groups are held at various times throughout the week. Contact us for more informationÂ
Intensives are typically 4–6 sessions over 2–3 days. Contact us for more information.Â
We have been with Katie for both the kids from the very beginning of learning to spell. She is the only practitioner our kids have worked with. Her upbeat, patient, and consistent approach has made such a difference. Both kids quickly became open and comfortable with her. She brings just the right mix of warmth, energy, and structure, and the kids truly respond to her positive demeanor. We’re so grateful for her steady support and the progress our children have made under her guidance.Â
We met Mimi in July of 2024 when our 23 yo son began his Spelling journey. Since meeting Mimi and everyone at Empowered Voices our lives have changed tremendously for the better. Matthew is communicating via the laminate letter board and beginning to transition to the keyboard. The knowledge, support and expertise that Mimi provides is worth the 2hour drive from our home in NJ. We have even contemplated moving closer to EV. Being able to rest easier knowing Matthew has found his voice and can have a TRUE SAY in what his future holds has been the BIGGEST blessing our family has received. Thank you Mimi for giving us the gift of getting to truly know our kind, funny, smart and beloved Matthew.
Katie has played a pivotal role in helping our adult son with autism develop meaningful ways to express himself. Her structured yet compassionate approach guided him through multiple communication tools, culminating in his use of a keyboard and iPad app. Her expertise has empowered him — and us — in ways we’ll never forget.Â
I just want to say Empowered Voices is a Godsend to our family. We are so blessed to have such great people working with my Granddaughter. Christina is so amazing, and patient, and understanding with Maddie. Every time I go there I am so amazed with finding out all the things that Maddie knows. We had no idea how much she can learn and already knows until we went to Empowered Voices. I highly recommend them to anyone who has a nonverbal person in their life. You will be blown away by how much they really know. Everyone there really makes you feel welcomed and accepted. We are so excited to see what the future holds for my Granddaughter and we would have never known this without Empowered Voices. They will truly make a difference in your family’s life.Â
Mimi is a Pennsylvania certified Special Education Teacher with almost 30 years of experience and a Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Services. She has worked most of her life with individuals with learning differences providing whatever they need to be successful and find self fulfillment. Compelled by her passion to change lives and the gift to always want to advocate for human rights, Mimi opened a place for individuals with apraxia to learn this remarkable method that has literally changed the world for those we once thought were incapable of real communication. Mimi’s dream is establishing a community-based center that fosters inclusivity for individuals of all motor abilities, staffed by professionals with a deep understanding of apraxia and the expertise to empower individuals toward achieving autonomy and agency in their lives. In her free time, Mimi enjoys bible studies, books and the beach. She is a mother of three adult children who keep her busy. She loves to spend time hiking with her husband and her sweet rescue pup. Â
Christina studied rehabilitation services at Pennsylvania State University and received her Master’s degree in Education from LaSalle University. She did her post graduate work at Penn State and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2012. She is a former Co-Instructor for Arizona State University and owner/operator of The Autism Giving Tree LLC. Christina’s experience in implementing a relationship based model of ABA, which she calls “ABA from the Heart,” has enabled her to embrace new and innovative approaches to therapy. This, and inspiration from the book, Underestimated, was essentially what led to her career change in 2022, when she became a Practitioner of Spelled Communication. Christina is committed to spreading awareness about the non speaking community, and the importance of presuming competence. She is passionate about working closely with families and collaborating with other professionals to bring quality services and resources to the community. Christina is committed to fostering a cooperative model of services in order to effectively meet the needs of neurodiverse individuals and their families. As a self described life-long learner, she has evolved throughout her career and takes the phrase “know better, do better” very seriously. Her top areas of interest are communication, motor control, social/emotional development, mindfulness, self-advocacy, and inner behaviors. Christina is also a proud homeschool mom, who believes in a living education. When not at Empowered Voices, she enjoys time in nature, reading, a good adventure, and spending time with her family.
Katie has spent the last 9 years working with and learning from children and adults on the autism spectrum. Katie earned a degree in behavioral sciences and autism studies from West Chester University. As a certified ABA therapist, she was trained to always look for the “antecedent” or cause of her client’s behaviors. Time and time again the antecedent was almost always not having access to reliable communication. This inspired Katie to learn about and become trained in the method of spelled communication. Katie focuses on forming a personal connection with each of her clients and their families to establish a foundation of trust and camaraderie. In her free time, Katie enjoys cheering on Philadelphia sports teams, hiking, and dabbling in lettering artistry, (which can be seen on various signs around our practice). Â
Norma is a Pennsylvania certified Licensed Behavior Specialist with over 20 years of experience working with children with autism. She earned a Master’s degree in Special Education/Applied Behavior Analysis from East Stroudsburg University. She is the proud parent of two adult children. Norma’s son Timothy is a nonspeaker, and it is his amazing experience learning to communicate through spelling that inspired her to become a spelling practitioner. Norma is determined to help as many nonspeakers find their voices as she can, not wanting anyone to live “in the silent prison” that was her son’s experience for over 29 years. She is passionate about training parents and caregivers to communicate with their loved ones, and to engage them in purposeful motor activities to increase regulation. Norma enjoys spending time with family and friends, rollerblading, bike riding, going to the beach and Broadway shows and attending church and Bible Study. Â
Ally Vanderslice is an S2C Practitioner who supports nonspeaking individuals and their families in building strong, purposeful communication. She prioritizes regulation, connection, and presuming competence in every session. Ally is passionate about helping spellers find their voice and feels honored to learn from each person she supports.Â
Meghan Shupp, M.Ed and Spellers Method practitioner has worked with non-speaking people (adults and children) for her entire career. Beginning her career as a Special Education Teacher, Meghan taught Life Skills Support for 10 years in a local school district. During that time, Meghan utilized many modalities of communication including AAC and Facilitated Communication, always presuming competence. Her classroom was the “Model Inclusion Classroom” for the county. Meghan has also presented at Penn State’s Autism Conference. Upon leaving public education, Meghan continues her career working with non-speaking adults, providing communication support for unique motor profiles. Currently, Meghan continues to provide communication support to adults who are non or minimally speaking at Empowered Voices through Spellers Method.
For the past 28 years, Colby has served as a speech-language pathologist, holding all necessary certifications and licenses. She is also certified in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and has received training in gestalt language processing, facilitated communication (FC), and spell to communicate (S2C). Additionally, Colby is a Cognomovement practitioner, employing a modality that promotes nervous system balance through eye and body movements and breathwork, which has proven beneficial for both her students and their families.
Throughout her career, Colby has worked in various settings, including schools, homes, centers, and her own home office. Serving children within the autistic community and their families has been both a calling and a privilege for her. Colby considers the individuals she works with to be her greatest teachers, guiding her to practice self-reflection, cultivate self-love (an ongoing journey), and recognize our shared humanity.
Colby’s passion lies in supporting others to find their voice, acknowledging that communication is multifaceted, encompassing emotion, history, and connection. She believes that everyone—children, parents, and therapists/practitioners—requires support. Colby is deeply grateful to be part of Empowered Voices, where she continues to learn, grow, teach, share, and connect with this remarkable community.
