Welcome!
It is my goal, with this Substack site, to provide helpful tips and insights to my client families and to any families who are entering the realm of Spelling to Communicate (S2C) and similar methodologies.
What this is: A companion on your spelling journey
This site features a companion series for your spelling journey: a supplementary collection of tips and advice that goes beyond the technical mechanics of “how to spell.” I provide a more detailed orientation here.
This is for spelling teams (spellers and their Communication Regulation Partners, or CRPs, sometimes also called Communication Partners or CPs, which are often family members, but also support staff).
There are 2 foundational posts (here and here), and then 2 main sections (sub-newsletters), depending on where you are with your spelling:
Journey to Open Communication: For those spelling teams who are in the “acquisition” phase of spelling. This means that you have not yet reached consistent, reliable “open” spelling, which means being confident with the pink questions if you’re using S2C-structured lessons.
Open Communication & Beyond: For those spelling teams who are entering, or have already entered, the realm of open communication.
There will also occasionally be posts that are relevant to spelling teams in either stage; these will just be posted to the Home page.
What this is not:
Please note: this is absolutely not a comprehensive, standalone spelling training program. This is not a substitute for working with a certified practitioner, and it is not a substitute for programs such as the I-ASC Communication Regulation Partner training program (which I highly recommend for those who are new to spelling if it is within your budget).
This is not endorsed by any organization. And this is not necessary in order to achieve functional, flourishing communication via spelling. But it will probably be helpful!
About subscriptions
The current cost of subscriptions is $5 a month, or $55 a year. If you’re not sure if this is for you, I encourage you to try the 14-day free trial.
Each month, there will be 2 posts for each section. I will also include 1 free post per month. Paid subscribers will also have the opportunity to participate in the chat.
If you’re really excited about what I’m doing and have the means, there is the option to become a “board” member (get it? like letterboards?) for $150 per year; “board” members will be able to join a live Q&A every other month.
When you subscribe to this newsletter, you are automatically subscribed to emails for both sections. If you do not want to receive emails from one or the other, please go to your Substack settings, look under your “subscriptions” section, and unselect whichever section you do not want to receive email updates for.
A bit about me
My name is Tara Sayuri Whitty, and I have been a certified Spelling to Communicate (S2C) practitioner since October 2023, working with nonspeakers and their families in San Diego and Riverside counties (but again, please note that my work on this Substack is NOT claiming to be endorsed by I-ASC, which oversees and certifies S2C practitioners).
And I am the very lucky older sister and primary CRP to my brother, Danny Whitty, a nonspeaking autistic writer and advocate (check out his work!). When he gained access to reliable communication through S2C in his 30s, our worlds absolutely blossomed in ways we'd never dared to hope for. We've spelled and worked closely together since early 2020, when I left a full-time career in marine conservation (in which I have a Ph.D.) and moved home to support his communication. It has been the best thing I've ever done with my life. (And we now have a podcast together - check it out - as well as a learning platform aimed at spellers and their support teams).
Danny and I are committed to helping as many other nonspeakers, and their families, as possible. That's why he urged me to become an S2C practitioner in 2023. I now work with, and learn from, several clients and their families, and I absolutely love it. While I am still a relatively new practitioner and have a lot to learn, I have extensive experience spelling with Danny and being an active part of the community of spellers and their families. Not only does this help me with the technical aspects of teaching S2C, but it also equips me with an in-depth understanding of the complex emotional journey that comes with access to communication, and the realities (exciting, complicated, difficult, wonderful) of "life after spelling." I bring genuine empathy and compassion to my practice; I truly care about my clients, and I am committed to mindfully and responsively supporting them and their families as they work to reach fluent communication.
About “Possibilities in Communication”
The name of my S2C practice, Possibilities in Communication, reflects our experience: Danny's access to communication opened up a new universe of possibilities for him to lead a fulfilling life, and for his loved ones to better support his needs and dreams. Communication is an important goal in itself, but access to communication is just the beginning - it’s the gateway to a new life bursting with diverse, exciting opportunities.
The name also is inspired by one of Danny's favorite poems, "I Dwell in Possibility," by Emily Dickinson. It was the topic of his first ever mini-essay in his first ever class, Modern and Contemporary American Poetry by U Penn on Coursera - his first exposure to a meaningful course, and an early part of his journey into the world of reading and writing poetry.
Basic Information about S2C
Please also refer to this FAQ & Resources post!
Spelling to Communicate (S2C) was developed by Elizabeth Vosseller, based on Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) developed by Soma Mukhopadhyay. S2C is overseen by the organization International Association for Spelling as Communication (I-ASC), which trains and certifies all S2C practitioners. I-ASC is also building a global community for all spellers and their families, regardless of the methodology they use (S2C, RPM, Spellers Method, Facilitated Communication, etc.).
I-ASC works to ensure that S2C is practiced in a standardized, testable way that allows for proper research to be conducted on how it works. This is critically important for further establishing the evidence base for S2C, which will in turn support the long-term goal of wider acceptance of S2C (which would allow for possible future coverage by insurance so that more families can access S2C training).
Some useful terms to know include:
spellers: Nonspeakers who use S2C, RPM, or similar spelling-based methodologies to communicate
Communication Regulation Partner (CRP): In S2C, the person who supports the speller and helps them stay regulated as they are spelling - this is also called "Communication Partner" (CP) in other methodologies. Basically, a communication aide who has been trained (by a practitioner, program, family member, other CRP, or independently through self-guided practice with the speller) to support that speller's communication. No official training or certification is needed, though training programs can be helpful.
S2C practitioner: Someone who has completed the S2C Practitioner Training by I-ASC and earned their certification (and maintains current certification); they are able to train nonspeakers to become spellers, and to train CRPs, but they are not able to certify other practitioners
open spelling: Spelling where the speller is able to communicate their own thoughts, after progressing through the acquisition phase (basic skills-building phase) of spelling
support team: How I refer to anyone - family, friend, hired staff - who is working to support the speller
spelling team: How I refer to the speller and anyone they’re spelling with (any of their CRPs and practitioners)
Working with me as your S2C practitioner
At the moment (January 2026), I am working at my maximum capacity for regular clients. However, I am always happy to have a chat and to conduct an assessment session with any interested client families in the San Diego County and Temecula areas. My priority for waiting list clients are nonspeakers who are not already working with another practitioner and who otherwise do not yet have access to support for spelling.
There are also other excellent practitioners of S2C in the area that I would be happy to put you in touch with, or (recommended) you can submit an inquiry to I-ASC here.
Testimonials
Please note: I never, ever ask for testimonials, especially not from spellers - it’s just not good professional practice to put such pressure on my clients.
But I’ve had two spellers who, on separate occasions over the years and somewhat out of the blue, have asked if they could write a testimonial for me. So, out of profound appreciation, I’m sharing their words here (with their permission)!
Tara is a special person who truly cares for her clients. Her patient and mindful approach works wonders for my ability to spell. I totally recommend working with her! - Trevor
Tara is a special practitioner whose patient and intelligent approach has helped me unlock new levels of fluency. She is so thoughtful in observing me and my dad practice and provides productive coaching. I am so appreciative of her kindness and care for her clients. - Victor
