Sophia Spellerbound

I HOPE TO GO TO COLLEGE SOMEDAY. I AM GLAD TO BE A PART OF THIS MOVEMENT IN MY OWN COMMUNITY.♥️

Elizabeth Bonker stopped speaking when she was 15 months old.

Within hours, her words were gone. Her mother Virginia described watching it happen in real time — her daughter’s voice simply disappeared.

Doctors didn’t offer much hope. But her family refused to give up. At age five, Elizabeth was taught to type. And when she typed her first words, something extraordinary became clear.

She had never stopped having something to say. She just hadn’t been given a way to say it.

Elizabeth went on to graduate as valedictorian of Rollins College in Florida. She delivered her commencement address to thousands of people — not with her voice, but through text-to-speech software. The speech went viral.

“I am not special,” she said. “We need to change the way the world sees non-speaking autism. It is a neuromotor disorder, not a cognitive one.”

She founded Communication 4 ALL — a nonprofit built on one principle: that communication is a basic human right. 26 letters. A stencil. An internet connection. That’s all it takes to unlock a mind that the world wrote off.

An estimated 31 million people worldwide are non-speaking and autistic. Most have never been taught to type, point to a board, or use an AAC device. Not because it’s impossible. Because nobody gave them the chance.

Elizabeth is trying to change that — one letter at a time.

Source: Communication 4 ALL / Newsweek / Rollins College

I REALLY LOVE MY TIME AT VIBE. I FEEL HEARD THERE. ♥️

Some of the most profound thoughts are the ones that make you stop and feel something long after you’ve read them.

Our RPM session was a beautiful reminder that communication is so much more than speech, it’s perspective, emotion, reflection, and connection. The insight Sophia shared carried a level of depth that invites all of us to slow down and see the world a little differently.

I HAD SO MUCH FUN AT MY FRIEND ZARA’S BIRTHDAY PARTY. SHE LOVED HER GIFT AND SHE IS SO CUTE AND SUCH A FASHIONISTA. (Zara likes to style hair) 🥰

IM SO GLAD CHASE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE WITH THOMAS. I WISH EVERYONE KNEW HOW COOL CHASE TRULY IS.♥️

Yesterday, something powerful happened.

Chase (16), who is autistic and navigates apraxia (a body-brain disconnect), sat down with Thomas (15), who is neurotypical. Two teenagers, two completely different neurological experiences… and within minutes, none of that mattered.

Chase opened with honesty:
“SORRY IN ADVANCE MY BODY IS SLOW BUT MY MIND ISN’T.”

Thomas didn’t hesitate.
“Mine is too, Chase.”

And just like that.....connection.

They talked about things most people assume would be barriers. What it feels like when Chase’s body “gets stuck.” How eloping makes daily life unpredictable. The frustration of wanting to move, but physically not being able to.

Thomas didn’t shy away. He leaned in with curiosity, respect, and real questions:
“What does it feel like?”
“Can you get out of it on your own?”

Not pity. Not awkwardness. Just genuine interest.

And then… they were just two teenage boys.

Talking about the pros and cons of having a girlfriend, what it’s like to be popular or unpopular in high school, baseball, school schedules, and Spanish class.

At one point, Chase shared his perspective:
“BEING UNPOPULAR IN HIGH SCHOOL HAS NO VALUE IN THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.”

It wasn’t about labels or status—it was just an honest moment of perspective between two peers.

They found common ground in humanity, not labels.

This is the part people miss:
Inclusion isn’t forced.
It’s not scripted.
It’s not about “helping” one side.

It’s about creating a space where two people can meet and realize they’re more alike than different.

Thomas showed up with openness.
Chase showed up with courage.
And what formed between them? Real friendship.

Because when people are given the opportunity to truly see each other… they don’t see diagnoses.

They see a person.

And that changes everything.

In case you missed it!

S: “I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE ME SPELL. IM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.”

——————————————

1. What is something you wish people understood about individuals with Autism?
MORE THAN ANYTHING I WISH THEY KNEW THAT IT IS OUR BODIES AND NOT OUR MINDS THAT ARE THE PROBLEM.
2. What was your first impression of the process of spelling when you were introduced to it?
I WANTED TO SCREAM WITH EXCITEMENT BUT MY BODY WENT INTO ATTACK MODE. I CRIED, SCRATCHED AND BIT. THANK GOD AMANDA DIDNT GIVE UP ON ME.
3. Before spelling became an option for communication, how were you able to express your needs?
I TOLD MY MOM WITH MY EYES LOL. I ALSO HAVE A FEW WORDS.
4. What's your favorite genre of books?
I LIKE MOST GENRES BUT SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN BETTER THAN THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY.
5. Who's your favorite singer?
TAYLOR (Swift) OF COURSE ...BUT ALSO MY MOM

6. How long did it take you to learn how to spell?
I ALWAYS KNEW HOW TO SPELL, BUT FOR OTHERS ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
7. What is your favorite subject to study in school?
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER SO I LIKE IT ALL... BUT I GUESS I LIKE MATH BEST BECAUSE ITS EASY.
8. What's your favorite movie?
SORRY I DONT REALLY HAVE A FAVORITE.
9. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
BACK IN TIME...OR ENGLAND.
10. What do you wish to do when you graduate? I WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE.
What's your dream job/career? SPELLER ADVOCATE
11. What was something unexpected or surprising about Spelling to Communicate? (She threw this in there: I AM EXCITED ABOUT WEDNESDAY)
THAT IT WOULD BE SO HARD FOR PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN IT.
12. Who is a book character that you feel you can relate to and why?

MELODY (from Out of My Mind by Sharon M Draper)-FOR SO MANY REASONS.

Live spelling:

Q: How can we help you in your advocacy?

S: FIRST BELIEVE. (I explained why this is important) I NEED A CRP BECAUSE I CANT CONTROL MY BODY. IT STINKS THAT PEOPLE THINK I AM DUMB.

Q: How do you read books?
S: AUDIOBOOKS

Q: Why don’t you like to use the AAC devices with pictures?
S: BORING CONVERSATIONS.

Q: DO YOU SPEAK ANY LANGUAGES?

S: I SPEAK SPANISH.

Q: How did you learn Spanish?

S: [I listened to] ANA AND SANTA (2 ladies we know who speak it)

Q: Can I say something in Spanish and have you translate it?

S: YES. MY NAME IS SOPHIA AND IM VERY INTELLIGENT.

Q: How do you let your mom know when you need to say something?

S: I DONT. SHE BOTHERS ME ALL THE TIME (with questions and the spellboard)

Q: What is the goal of speller advocacy?

S: ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO COMMUNICATION.

Q: How did you learn math?
S: I ALWAYS KNEW

Q:What are some of your hobbies?S: READING SWIMMING WATCHING THEATER.

Q: What has been your favorite theater show you have seen so far?
S: SIX

When the second class started, sophia became a little bit dysregulated.

S: IM SORRY. PLEASE IGNORE MY BODY. HOW IS EVERYONE?

Q: How old are you?
S: SIXTEEN

Q: What is your favorite color?
S: PURPLE

At this point we discussed how Sophia’s first exposure to spelling was in 2018. When asked why she was so resistant then she said

S:I WASNT READY.

Mom: I think if we had had someone locally to do spelling with you on a regular basis, you would have been ready. Am I right?

S: NO.

Q: Who is your favorite Hunger Games character?

S: PEETA.

Q: How are you feeling right now?

S: I WAS NERVOUS BUT IM BETTER NOW.

Q: What is your favorite cuisine?

S:FRENCH FRIES

Q: What kind?

S: SKINNY

Q: What else do you do at VIBE besides spelling?

S: LEARN THINGS. (we talked about Vibe and the microspelling program)

When the questions calmed a little , Sophia took the board and spelled:

S: IM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE.

Q: Tell us something about your brother Joshua

S: HE HAS THE BEST LAUGH.

Q: What is one subject you would like to learn about?

S: ASTRONOMY
Q: What do you think your life would be like without spelling.

S: LONELY

Q: (For mom) What is it like to have 2 children with disabilities?

Mom: I dont think anyone can fully understand how rich and beautiful it can be unless you live it. it is hard to explain.

S: I LOVE MY LIFE.

Q: What is your favorite show your mom has done?

S: MEMPHIS

Q: What show would you like to see?
S: IWANT TO SEE THE OUTSIDERS. Q: What is your favorite kind of math?

S: ALGEBRA

Q: Which board is easier to spell on?

S: LAMINATE

Q: What is your favorite Taylor Swift song?

S: SHAKE IT OFF IS MY ANTHEM. Q: Do you think nonspeaking autistic spellers have deeper relationships than typicals?

S: MAYBE. WE CANT HIDE ANYTHING.

Q: What is your go to ice cream flavor?

S: VANILLA

Q: Do you enjoy watching any sports?

S: BASEBALL (we dont actually watch any sports like on tv or anything but her boyfriend Chase plays baseball and she would like to watch)

Q: Do you have a favorite team?

S: GIANTS (the name of Chase’s team)

Q: Tell us more about Chase!

S: (Both classes asked about Chase so here are the things she told them.) WE ARE STILL TIGHT.
HE IS SO
SMART. WE ARE SOULMATES.

Q: Would you consider yourself a type a or b personality?

S: B. MOM IS A.

Then the bell rang and Sophia spelled to Mrs Moreaux:

S: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS. ♥️

We sat and read each and every one of these over 35 notes from the English classes! I am going to post a few of the notes that were handwritten.

S: I AM SO OVERWHELMED. I AM ESPECIALLY EXCITED TO GO BACK NEXT YEAR IF THEY’LL HAVE ME. MY HEART IS FULL. ♥️

On Wednesday April 1st, Sophia had the honor of spelling for 2 11th grade English classes at a local high school. This was her second year. The students previously watched the SPELLERS movie then the teacher compiled questions from the students for Sophia to answer ahead of time. Then Sophia visited the class to answer questions LIVE. We did not videotape or take pics but I was able to mostly document the conversation from the bluetooth keyboard register.
First her prepared q&a, then her live q&a.

S: “I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE ME SPELL. IM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.”

1. What is something you wish people understood about individuals with Autism?
MORE THAN ANYTHING I WISH THEY KNEW THAT IT IS OUR BODIES AND NOT OUR MINDS THAT ARE THE PROBLEM.
2. What was your first impression of the process of spelling when you were introduced to it?
I WANTED TO SCREAM WITH EXCITEMENT BUT MY BODY WENT INTO ATTACK MODE. I CRIED, SCRATCHED AND BIT. THANK GOD AMANDA DIDNT GIVE UP ON ME.
3. Before spelling became an option for communication, how were you able to express your needs?
I TOLD MY MOM WITH MY EYES LOL. I ALSO HAVE A FEW WORDS.
4. What's your favorite genre of books?
I LIKE MOST GENRES BUT SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN BETTER THAN THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY.
5. Who's your favorite singer?
TAYLOR (Swift) OF COURSE ...BUT ALSO MY MOM

6. How long did it take you to learn how to spell?
I ALWAYS KNEW HOW TO SPELL, BUT FOR OTHERS ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
7. What is your favorite subject to study in school?
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER SO I LIKE IT ALL... BUT I GUESS I LIKE MATH BEST BECAUSE ITS EASY.
8. What's your favorite movie?
SORRY I DONT REALLY HAVE A FAVORITE.
9. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
BACK IN TIME...OR ENGLAND.
10. What do you wish to do when you graduate? I WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE.
What's your dream job/career? SPELLER ADVOCATE
11. What was something unexpected or surprising about Spelling to Communicate? (She threw this in there: I AM EXCITED ABOUT WEDNESDAY)
THAT IT WOULD BE SO HARD FOR PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN IT.
12. Who is a book character that you feel you can relate to and why?

MELODY (from Out of My Mind by Sharon M Draper)-FOR SO MANY REASONS.

Live spelling:

Q: How can we help you in your advocacy?

S: FIRST BELIEVE. (I explained why this is important) I NEED A CRP BECAUSE I CANT CONTROL MY BODY. IT STINKS THAT PEOPLE THINK I AM DUMB.

Q: How do you read books?
S: AUDIOBOOKS

Q: Why don’t you like to use the AAC devices with pictures?
S: BORING CONVERSATIONS.

Q: DO YOU SPEAK ANY LANGUAGES?

S: I SPEAK SPANISH.

Q: How did you learn Spanish?

S: [I listened to] ANA AND SANTA (2 ladies we know who speak it)

Q: Can I say something in Spanish and have you translate it?

S: YES. MY NAME IS SOPHIA AND IM VERY INTELLIGENT.

Q: How do you let your mom know when you need to say something?

S: I DONT. SHE BOTHERS ME ALL THE TIME (with questions and the spellboard)

Q: What is the goal of speller advocacy?

S: ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO COMMUNICATION.

Q: How did you learn math?
S: I ALWAYS KNEW

Q:What are some of your hobbies?S: READING SWIMMING WATCHING THEATER.

Q: What has been your favorite theater show you have seen so far?
S: SIX

When the second class started, sophia became a little bit dysregulated.

S: IM SORRY. PLEASE IGNORE MY BODY. HOW IS EVERYONE?

Q: How old are you?
S: SIXTEEN

Q: What is your favorite color?
S: PURPLE

At this point we discussed how Sophia’s first exposure to spelling was in 2018. When asked why she was so resistant then she said

S:I WASNT READY.

Mom: I think if we had had someone locally to do spelling with you on a regular basis, you would have been ready. Am I right?

S: NO.

Q: Who is your favorite Hunger Games character?

S: PEETA.

Q: How are you feeling right now?

S: I WAS NERVOUS BUT IM BETTER NOW.

Q: What is your favorite cuisine?

S:FRENCH FRIES

Q: What kind?

S: SKINNY

Q: What else do you do at VIBE besides spelling?

S: LEARN THINGS. (we talked about Vibe and the microspelling program)

When the questions calmed a little , Sophia took the board and spelled:

S: IM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE.

Q: Tell us something about your brother Joshua

S: HE HAS THE BEST LAUGH.

Q: What is one subject you would like to learn about?

S: ASTRONOMY
Q: What do you think your life would be like without spelling.

S: LONELY

Q: (For mom) What is it like to have 2 children with disabilities?

Mom: I dont think anyone can fully understand how rich and beautiful it can be unless you live it. it is hard to explain.

S: I LOVE MY LIFE.

Q: What is your favorite show your mom has done?

S: MEMPHIS

Q: What show would you like to see?
S: IWANT TO SEE THE OUTSIDERS. Q: What is your favorite kind of math?

S: ALGEBRA

Q: Which board is easier to spell on?

S: LAMINATE

Q: What is your favorite Taylor Swift song?

S: SHAKE IT OFF IS MY ANTHEM. Q: Do you think nonspeaking autistic spellers have deeper relationships than typicals?

S: MAYBE. WE CANT HIDE ANYTHING.

Q: What is your go to ice cream flavor?

S: VANILLA

Q: Do you enjoy watching any sports?

S: BASEBALL (we dont actually watch any sports like on tv or anything but her boyfriend Chase plays baseball and she would like to watch)

Q: Do you have a favorite team?

S: GIANTS (the name of Chase’s team)

Q: Tell us more about Chase!

S: (Both classes asked about Chase so here are the things she told them.) WE ARE STILL TIGHT.
HE IS SO
SMART. WE ARE SOULMATES.

Q: Would you consider yourself a type a or b personality?

S: B. MOM IS A.

Then the bell rang and Sophia spelled to Mrs Moreaux:

S: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS. ♥️

(these pics are reflective of some of the answers. The one in the classroom was taken last year. I hope someone got another from this year’s visit)