"Even knowing what I knew from speaking with JB and other parents involved in the care of their young adult children, I did not expect to go through the emotional ride that SPELLERS mandates of you. I literally had to take it in small doses - 20 minutes at at time, to let myself process what I had just seen on the screen. Not out of disbelief - but rather out of my keen sensitivity to injustices and my penchant to fight for the downtrodden."  - James Lyons-Weiler PhD

The SPELLERS movie screening is open to the public and price of admission will be by donation to the SPELLERS Freedom Foundation thanks to Michigan for Vaccine Choice who generously sponsored this event. We truly appreciate their support in making this life changing film available for all. 

ALL EDUCATORS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS CAN APPLY FOR CEU / CME CE CREDITS OF 2.5 HOURS THROUGH THIS SCREENING

Joel Troyer

SPELLERS

Pat Notaro

Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg

Donnie Wahlberg

Dawnmarie Gaivin

Dana Johnson

Gail Tanner

Aydan Boden

Jamie Handley

Cade Larson

Vince Rinicella

Madison Hollman

Evan Tastor

Elizabeth Bonker

Sid Sarathy

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. 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—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.”

Documentary

Krishna Donaparth, MD

Dr Avery Jackson III

Dr James Lyons-Weiler PhD

Alyssa Miller

The beautiful Tibbits Opera House is the second oldest active theater in MI. and has near perfect acoustics. All are welcome to this screening and if you are a parent of a non-speaker or minimal speaker with autism, we encourage you to bring them. This is an inclusive environment.  

We are also honored to welcome an incredible expert panel for our Q&A discussion that includes,
Dr Avery Jackson III, FACS, FAANS, Neurosurgeon, American Frontline Doctor and author / Alyssa Miller, MS, CCC-SLP who is also a Licensed S2C CRP. / Dr James Lyons-Weiler PhD, Scientist and author as well as the founder of IPAK-EDU. / Joel Troyer, Father of a non-speaker with autism who is learning the SPELLERS method. QR codes will be made available for donations. We will also accept cash, or checks made payable to SPELLERS FREEDOM FOUNDATION. Cash bar and light concessions also available.

Tibbits Opera House