@nicolegottesmann1: Thursdays are Spelling Days: SOME HOPE GOING STRONG. BOYHOOD IS TOUGH, SUPPORT NEEDED FASTER. IS QUITE NEW AND SCARY After Gabe spelled each word he went to his device and typed it. He is getting faster at spelling with the letter board and typing on his device. Typing is not as easy for him. I kept thinking about what he was saying. “Some hope going strong” this is positive! “Boyhood is tough, support needed faster. Is quite new and scary” Wow! Needing more support is something he shares about a lot. I am proud of him for being able to identify that he feels scared. Ingrid told him he is not alone in feeling this way. She is right! When he finished he was happy and laughing again. What a relief it must be to get that out. We have been reading Underestimated: An Autism Miracle, by JB Handley and his son Jamison Handley. I did not get to hear all of it yet, but Caroline finished reading it to Gabe. Each night we shed many tears. I highly recommend it, please get this book if you have an interest in learning about this method of communication. It makes you feel hopeful and it also makes you feel regret. For not presuming competence and for not giving Gabe this opportunity sooner. He is not yet 15 and he is on his way to freedom. I know it. We have a lot to discuss with Gabe tonight. #autism #apraxia #spelling #rpm #s2c #nonverbal #nonverbalautism #nonspeaking #autismawareness #autismacceptance @Caroline Kiernan112 @nicolegottesmann