The Threads of Life

#1 Summary

My non-speaking son Henry, age 15 and I are up on the laminate now and working to introduce more functional and conversational communication. The laminate makes spelling accessible pretty much anywhere. A focus on practicing at home with your speller, as a parent, and troubleshooting.

#2 Guest: N/A

#3 Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro, recap on Part C & explaining 'open' on the boards.

2:45 Henry's first open communication.

3:45 The Laminate

6:22 Skipping rope game analogy from Elizabeth Vosseller/EV.

11:28 Why do we have to start on the 3 boards when our child is open and on a laminate with their practitioner?

14:55 Watching your own regulation

15:23 Gearing yourself up for an open and learning to stay cool.

16:45 Stay in the context of a lesson.

18:15 respecting their autonomy.

18:41 So many words to choose from

20:49 They are always lsitening...so communicate your thoughts with them...

27:56 Troubleshooting: motor loops; silence; context of a lesson; maths; easy route; blogs by spellers.

#4 Main Points:

• Recap and explaining 'opens'
• The Laminate
• Analogy for how to keep the momentum and pace going
• Why start back on the 3 boards?
• Staying in the context of a lesson for opens & respecting their autonomy.
• Communicate whit the, they are listening!
• Troubleshooting

#5 References: see below

#6 Calls to Action:

pre-roll: Anna of Palz Ireland

mid-roll: Helen Adderley (lesson writer)

end-roll: n/a

#7 Social media: n/a

#8 Next Episode: tbc

#1 Summary

OMG, I have been so excited for this episode. What a privilege it is to get know this wonderful family and learn from Tom who is so very passionate about advocating for non speakers and S2C and getting it onto schools in the UK. We run through some preset questions for Tom about his journey and what his life and aspirations as an adult non speaker are today and then get ask some live questions too.

#2 Guest: Non Speaker Tom Watson & his Dad Kevin

#3 Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro - How I met Tom and his family

3:08 I-ASC and UK Summit Coming Soon

4:29 Where to find Tom on Social Media

6:48 Tom says HI

8:25 preset question - Tell us about yourself as a speller?

9:36 preset question - What is the Spelling Journey?

11:38 preset question - How did you move from one stage of S2C to the next to reach open communication?

13:58 preset question - What have you been doing since becoming an open speller?

15:42 Earley Springs School in Kent - Event in July

17:08 preset question - What does spelling mean for your future independence?

18:40 preset question - Taster of Article written by Tom on Apraxia

20:41 preset question - What are your thoughts on the future?

22:35 live question - What would you say to parents of a non speaking child who want to embark on the S2C journey but are not sure their child can access it?

29:16 Tom says thanks and bye.

31:00 My very emotional reactions and close.

#4 Bullet Points

• Introducing Tom Watson a non speaker, and his Dad Kevin
• Tom answers preset questions about his journey to finding his voice with S2C and what his adult life and aspirations as a none speaker are now.
• Events past and coming soon.
• Tom mentions his article on Apraxia.
• Live Question to Tom.
• Reactions and close.

#5 Calls to Action:

pre-roll = I-ASC and the UK Summit

mid roll = I-ASC and event held at Earley Springs School near Maidstone in Kent that is introducing S2C into its school day, the first in the UK.

end roll = UK Summit Birmingham 16 & 17 Ototber 2026

#6 References and Links: see below

#7 Social Media: see below

#8 Next Episode: My Journey with S2C Part D

#1 Summary

An episode using my knowledge and experience of Spelling to Communicate as both a practitioner and parent. Helping families to understand the term Praxis and why nonspeaking, minimally and unreliably speaking autistic individuals are Apraxic.

#2 Guest n/a

#3 Time Stamps

0:00 Intro - Get S2C mentioned on those EHCP's in the UK

2:36 Praxis and what we know from Spellers themselves

3:52 Types of Motor

6:16 Praxis is...

7:32 Apraxia is...

11:42 Purposeful motor is regulating

12:58 Talk to the body and breaks down the steps of movement required

14:37 What has made such a big difference to us in the home

17:17 Why CRP's need to start on the 3 boards/stencils, always

19:32 Don't give up and wrap up

#4 Bullet Points

• A topic related to Spelling to Communicate
• What we DO know about nonspeakers, from nonspeakers
• Brain body disconnect
• Types of Motor
• Praxis
• Apraxia
• Why its important to understand
• Break it down and prompt
• Purposeful motor in S2C and the home
• The parent life

#5 Calls to Action

pre-roll = I-ASC

mid roll = n/a

end roll = thanks and share

#6 References and Links n/a

#7 Social Media n/a

#8 Next Episode tbc

#1 Summary

A short and lighthearted New Year's episode on the popular decision so many parents of neurodivergent children come to at a certain stage on their journey to get a pet to help their autistic and/or neurodivergent child. Much like becoming aware of possible adhd traits we seem to get sucked into stories and advice about how good a pet can be, especially when our children are struggling with socialisation and accessing the community - calming, sensory, connection, confidence boosting, anxiety reducing, speech improving, the lot. And of course, as parents, we put aside all our current coping and sleep deprivation woes and decide we absolutely should and must try this, it could be a game changer. My own disastrous personal experience shared.

#2 Guest: n/a

#3 Time Stamps:

00: Intro

0:33 Personal advice - don't do this! Ha ha ha

1:26 Part of the journey along with adhd when it comes to autism

6:40 Our family story

9:32 Child toys vs dog toys...competition

13:50 The vet said "NO" re-home this dog

17:15 Hindsight

18:11 What Henry has now said in his own words through Spelling to Communicate

#4 Bullet Points:

1. When and why families come to the decision to get a pet for their autistic and/or neurodivergent child, to help.
2. What you should know before you commit
3. My personal story shared
4. Conclusions

#5 Calls to Action:

pre-roll - n/a

mid roll - website newsletter sign-up

end-roll - upcoming Boot Camp

#6 References and Links - see below

#7 Social Media: n/a

#8 Next Episode: Getting to Grips with Praxis

#1 Taking a look at and sharing my experiences as a parent of adhd and autism in a non-speaking child + adhd in a young adult in mainstream. Trying to figure which is the autism and which the adhd; deciding to medicate and what happens; understanding apraxia and hoping parents and families resonate, feel less alone and more informed of how it actually can go.

#2 Guest: n/a

#3 0:00 - 4:46 Intro - it's been a while.

4:47 Adhd becoming apparent in your child in their early primary years in non-speaking, minimally or unreliably speaking autistic children.

7:10 What us parents are trying to do.

8:03 Not having motor control, heightened sensory systems and briefly explaining praxis.

12:55 What to expect

16:40 Side effects - loss of appetite, sleep difficulties

20:02 Mainstream/speaking children and a diagnosis in a young adult

22:57 When they decide to stop taking their meds

24:56 Wrapping up and all that.

#4 Summary:

1. Adhd becoming apparent in your non-speaking autistic
2. Autism and Adhd go hand in hand in up to 80% of nonspeakers
3. What us parents are trying to do
4. Not having control of your motor - aparaxia
5. What to expect
6. Side effects of meds
7. Adhd in a speaking/mainstream young adult
8. When they decide not to take their meds

#5 References: see below

#6 Calls to Action:

Pre Roll - newsletter sign up and finding webpage

Mid Roll - n/a

End Roll - follow the podcast, leave a review, email in

#7 Social Media: n/a

#8 Next Episode: Let's Get a Pet to Help Our Autistic Child

#1 Summary:

Introducing Harriet Carter and telling the story of how we met. Harriet is opening her own new SEN primary school near Maidstone in Kent, UK in September 2025 and will be introducing Spelling to Communicate (S2C). Harriet has been in education for over 20 years, has a non speaking nephew Lenny and has spent the best of five years acquiring a site, finding investors and planning her new school called Earley Springs. We talk about her journey, some of the hardships and triumphs, why the name, S2C and looking ahead.

#2 Guest:

Harriet Carter - Owner, Founder and Head Teacher of Earley Springs.

#3 Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro - Starting Conversations, how Harriet and |I met and introducing her.

4:26 Harriet tells us her personal and professional story about why she is opening this new school.

7:05 Every day is a school day!

8:27 Inspired by her Auntie and nephew hence the school name.

10:15 SEN Schools where set up by parents, families, relatives with a connection who actually know what to provide.

11:08 School name and logo + vision for the school.

12:10 Top Tips. 3 Highs. 3 Challenges.

14:13 The London Marathon!

17:45 Harriet's absolute dream and the curriculum.

23:36 A blueprint for other parents/individuals do the same.

25:00 Spelling to Communicate / S2C.

34:43 Why I'm excited - the whole communication approach.

36:17 True inclusion starts with presuming competence and knowing that children and adults want to and can learn.

37:11 Open Day 9 August 1-3pm. All welcome.

#4 Bullet Points:

• How Harriet and I met and who she is + what she is doing.
• Setting up her own school from scratch - SEN Primary.
• Why; behind the name; Highs and lows.
• The broken system and how great the need is.
• School Blueprints
• S2C - Harriet's experience coming to observe a session of mine.
• Whole communication approach.
• OPEN DAY 9 AUGUST 2025 1-3PM.

#5 External References and Links: see below

#6 Calls to Action: N/A

#7 Social Media:

fb - Earley Springs

#8 Next Episode: tbc

#1 Summary

Trying to tactfully (and probably not successfully) put it out there that non speaking, minimally and unreliably speaking autism is not quite the same journey as other autism or neurodivergent journeys and the therapies, schools and health care do therefore not always work as well, at all, or in the same way. There are so many commoin themes of wha tparents do to try and get their chiuldren and adults the help they need so this episode is dedicated ot sharing those, having alaugh over things tried and trying help others get honest, real advice on what pwrks, what doesn't, how and why. When all th ewhile each individual is unique and different.

#2 Guest n/a

#3 Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro - see summary above and starting with diagnosis

4:10 Do what works for you, your child and your family

6:27 Speech and Language + Occupational Therapy

11:42 There is nothing you should be doing, don't panic.

12:09 Diet and nutrition

16:37 What our children are

17:24 Why do S2C - the importance of and basic right to communication

19:35 Sleep onset issues

23:45 adhd meds

25:20 anti anxiety meds

25:56 Back to S2C. It works. New School coming soon and using S2C!

28:15 Finding the right school

#4 Bullet Points: Common Themes

• Diagnosis
• SlT and OT intervention and therapy
• Diet
• S2C
• Sleep
• Meds
• Schools

#5 Calls to Action:

Early/mid roll - newsletter

Mid+ roll - Guest episode coming soon re new S2C using school!

End roll - thank you re podcast

#6 Links and References: n/a

7# Social media: n/a

#8 Next Episode:

Harriet Carter of Earley Springs - new SEN primary opening in Kent Sept 2025

#1 Summary

My non-speaking son Henry, now 14 and I are up on the 26 letter-board now that is hugely exciting and also challenging - a bit like starting all over again. And episode sharing our tirals and tribulations with being a parent CRP (co-regulation partner) and some tips and wisdom that have been passed on to me as a Practitioner now from the one and only Elizabeth Vosseller (EV) and her equally amazing counterpart Anna Lechleiter of Palz Ireland.

#2 Guest: N/A

#3 Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro to Episode.

1:43 How practice is going at home and being up on the 26.

4:57 Toggling.

8:00 Mispokes and 3 board foundations.

9:22 The excitement and experience of semi-opens, prior knowledge and even open questions.

10:45 Encouragement, emotions and expectations.

13:30 The Motor vs Cognitive balance i.e. seesaw.

16:36 Reassurances and being cool!

20:29 Windows into their personalities.

22:07 Not assuming we know what they are thinking and feeling by looking at their bodies.

24:15 Working through dysregulation and being the mailmen/women.

#4 Main Points

• Practice - resonating with parents.
• Toggling up/down on the 26 stencil.
• Mispokes/Typos.
• 3 board foundations
• Semi-opens and opens!
• Motor v Cognitive balance.
• Reassurance and encouragement.
• Not reading into what their bodies are doing.
• Being mailmen/women.

#5 References: see below for details on I=ASC (International Association for Spelling as Communication or S2C) and Anna at Palz Ireland.

#6 Calls to Action:

pre-roll: welcome and thank you

mid-roll: i-asc

end-roll: inviting guests and how to become a practitioner

#7 Social media n/a

#8 Next Episode tbc

#1 Summary

An episode for those of you who live the same life as we do i.e. with neurodivergent and SEN children, to resonate with, feel validated by, laugh at and know you are not alone when it comes to travelling. And for others listening to know our struggles, become aware and help us change attitudes. Encompassing all things travel related from walking to the local shops, to cars; buses; trains, and planes. Even pushchairs! No boats though.

#2 Guest: N/A

#3 Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro to Episode.

2:14 The baby and the pushchair.

5:45 These are some of the hardest moments.

6:52 The post toddler and the pushchair!

8:59 Public transport and hyper vigilance - walking, buses, trains.

15:14 Disabled Parking Badges.

19:08 Public toilets.

23:26 Flying.

34:24 If you never want to brave flying, that's fine.

37:50 The balance.

#4 Main Points

• Moments and times when it's the most difficult for parents/carers.
• Walks, Pushchairs, cars, buses, trains.
• Road safety.
• Flying.
• Balance and being ok with your choices.

#5 References: see below for details on I=ASC (International Association for Spelling as Communication or S2C)

#6 Calls to Action:

pre-roll: free 30 min episodes to please share

mid-roll: my webpage + newsletter + blogs

#7 Social media n/a

#8 Next Episode tbc

#1 Summary

An hour long episode with guest Helen Adderley who is so charming and intelligent and joy to chat with. Helen talks us through her own personal journey with her son Phil, becoming a Spell2Communicate Practitioner and most importantly about her book of lessons for non speaking, minimally and unreliably speaking individuals learning to spell to communicate plus how to write a good lesson. it is relevant to all Practitioners, Practitioners in Training (PITs) and parents and CRP's (co-regulation partners).

#2 Guest: Helen Adderley

#3 Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro to Episode.

2:30 Introducing Helen Adderley and how her and I met.

4:28 Helen and her son Phil's journey/story- PECS, Signing.

9:43 Finding S2C and training to become a Practitioner.

18:53 Why the lesson is so important: boredom. flow. momentum.

24:23 Categorisation = Age Appropriate. Follow the flow with your questions (multicoloured).

25:23 Spellers want to learn. keep it interesting, conversational. Take note of day to day things that interest or fascinate you + any of your own experiences, memories, passions.

27:04 There must be a mutual respect. A lesson as Elizabeth Vosseller says is.."an invitation to have a conversation".

28:15 Helen's 7 Top Tips for Lesson Writing.

46:12 Helen's Book: "British -Themed S2C Lessons" is available on Amazon and is for older/adult spellers. All proceeds are being donated to the non-profit organisation I-ASC (International Association for Spelling as Communication).

#4 Main Points

• Helen and her son's Phil's backstories
• Why a good lesson is important
• Top Tips for parents, PITs, CRP's, Practitioners
• Helen's book and where to buy it
• What's next...new book for younger spellers in collaboration wiht me/Trish O'Dwyer.

#5 References

If you live in the North Wales area and are looking for a certified S2C Practitioner for your non-speaking, minimally or unreliably speaking child/adult please contact either Helen Adderley [email protected] or Iwona Koza [email protected]

#6 Calls to Action n/a

#7 Social media n/a

#8 Next Episode tbc