What if everything you thought you knew about autism was wrong? 

Inspired by the book Underestimated, the new full-length documentary SPELLERS challenges conventional wisdom regarding a group relegated to society’s margins: nonspeakers with autism, who most “experts” believe are cognitively disabled. Edmonds residents David and Renee Kaufer, parents of Stone, are hosting the screening for this documentary for local families, educators, healthcare professionals and others who know or work with non or unreliable speakers. 

The screening will be Saturday, June 10th at 10:30 am at the Edmonds Theater. Our introduction to S2C (Spelling To Communicate) in September 2022 radically changed Stone's - and his family's - lives forever by allowing him to share his thoughts, insights and intelligence with them for the first time. "We'd really like to amend society's perception of the capabilities of autistic individuals by sharing this life-changing communication method,” Renee said. “We are one of thousands of families changed positively by this communication tool." Stone adds, "I think it would be a helpful opportunity to educate many others and a good way to show people my strong capabilities. Just because I can’t speak doesn’t mean I can’t talk." 

As the film opening asks, “What if we’ve been wrong…about every single one of them?” SPELLERS answers that question, in convincing fashion, through the stories of eight nonspeakers and their families—Aydan, Evan, Sid, Maddie, Jamie, Vince, Cade, and Elizabeth—who all found their voice through the miraculous process of using a letterboard to communicate their thoughts and feelings. As Jamie explains, “we think, feel, and learn just like everyone else.” 

Parents, relatives, friends, teachers, and therapists of non-speakers will find this a powerful film. "We should never underestimate their capabilities, but rather unlock their knowledge and share their voices together," David said. Tickets are free, but you must register online.