Brooke Wagner interviews Betsy Hicks-Russ to share her journey with her son Joey, who is non-speaking and has profound autism. Betsy discusses the transformative power of spelling as a means of communication, the challenges of apraxia, and the concept of telepathy among non-speaking individuals. She emphasizes the importance of mindfulness for parents and the need for a supportive environment to foster communication. Betsy also highlights the significance of nutrition in the well-being of autistic individuals and the evolving understanding of autism in society.

Brooke Wagner - Finding Hope on the Spectrum Podcast

Betsy Hicks Russ - BetsyontheGo

https://betsyonthego.com

https://autismodyssey.org

takeaways

• Betsy Hicks-Russ is the director of Autism Odyssey, focusing on empowering autistic individuals.
• Joey, Betsy's son, is a non-speaking individual with profound autism, who has shown remarkable intelligence through spelling.
• The journey of discovering Joey's ability to communicate through spelling was filled with challenges and surprises.
• Apraxia is a significant barrier for many non-speaking individuals, affecting their ability to express themselves.
• Telepathy is a concept that many parents of non-speaking individuals are exploring, as it relates to their children's communication.
• The Hill is a term used by non-speaking individuals to describe a place of connection and communication beyond words.
• Mindfulness practices are essential for parents to create a calm environment for their children.
• Nutrition plays a crucial role in the well-being of autistic individuals, impacting their behavior and communication.
• The future of autism advocacy is shifting towards recognizing the capabilities of non-speaking individuals as leaders in communication.
• Betsy encourages families to explore spelling as a communication method and to seek proper guidance from practitioners.