Episode 213 — Presume COMPETENCE, Here’s How
Guest: Dawnmarie Gaivin • Date: July 18, 2024
Episode Overview
Dawnmarie Gaivin, the inspiring founder of Spellers Center San Diego, joins us. Dawnmarie's children inspired her specific passion to support all nonspeakers in the development of purposeful motor skills and a reliable form of communication. Dawnmarie’s work was featured in the 2023 documentary SPELLERS, which revealed how spelling and typing can truly liberate nonspeakers.
About Dawnmarie Gaivin
Dawnmarie Gaivin is the Founder & Executive Director at Spellers Center San Diego, located in Oceanside, CA. Before her career moved into the world of nonspeaking autism, Dawnmarie worked for over 11 years as a trauma & transplant RN.
In 2005, her first son regressed and was diagnosed with autism. A year later, her second son followed the same path. Today, her eldest, Evan (20), is a nonspeaker and fluent letterboard communicator. Her younger son, Trey (19), is a minimal speaker who uses multiple modalities for effective communication.
Dawnmarie is a former DIR/Floortime® provider, cofounder of the Spellers MethodTM, and is currently an Assistive Technology Specialist (AT-ACP) as well.
In March 2021, Jamison Handley, a speller, and his dad JB wrote a book entitled "Underestimated" about their journey learning how to spell to communicate with her. In 2023, the documentary SPELLERS was released - now available on YouTube - showcasing how spelling and typing as a method of communication have liberated many nonspeakers from a life of silence.
Dawnmarie's" children inspired her specific passion to support all nonspeakers in the development of purposeful motor skills and a reliable form of communication.
You’ll Discover
A Powerful Approach That Defies Skeptics (3:37)
The Pivotal Role of Motor Skills (11:51)
Language DOESN'T Require Speech (14:52)
The Magic of Top-Down Regulation (16:50)
The Brain-Body Disconnect (20:03)
Who's A Fit For The Spellers Method (23:01)
We See What We Believe (28:10)
Why You Want To Be A Motor Coach (29:41)
What the Spellers Method Looks Like And The Best Way To Start (39:52)
The Three Phases of the Spellers Method (45:28)
Why You Want To Rethink Expectations (51:41)
An Important Thing To Keep in Mind (55:36)
Referenced in This Episode
The documentary Spellers on YouTube
Autism Parenting Secrets Episode 38 - Your Child Understands EVERYTHING with JB Handley
Autism Parenting Secrets Episode 140 - 26 Letters = INFINITE Possibilities with Elizabeth Vosseller
Full Transcript
