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SPELLERS

Hosted by Research & Education Autistic Children's Treatment

In-person

When

May 7, 3:15 PM EDT

Where

Celebration Cinema Grand Rapids South

1506 Eastport Drive, SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49508

Price

Free Screening

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About the event

SPELLERS + MULTIDISCIPLINARY PANEL DISCUSSION. FREE event but donations appreciated. Donations go to REACT: Research & Education for Autistic Children's Treatment.

SPELLERS just won Best Documentary and Donor’s Choice Award at it’s premier at the Phoenix Film Festival and we believe this film is going to change the way the world perceives non-speaking individuals with autism which will lead practitioners, educators, and even families to re-evaluate expectations and therapeutic approaches of this complex, multifaceted disorder. 

The documentary SPELLERS pushes us to dig deeper, reflect on our own biases, and develop new and appropriate therapeutic approaches that best serve non-speaking individuals with autism and apraxia. It shows us that “assuming competence” leads to better outcomes and breakthroughs. 

Multidisciplinary Panel:

• James Lyons-Weiler, PhD

• James Neuenschwander, M.D. (a.k.a. Dr. Neu)

• Patricia Neuenschwander, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC

• Joel Troyer

• Rachel Damrow, M.Ed

• Alyssa Miller CCC-SLP

CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY: A 2.5hrsCME/.25CEUnits (AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) post-viewing discussion course is available for attendees of any SPELLERS screening by registering at: https://www.eeds.com/em/6169 (Viewing the SPELLERS documentary is a prerequisite for course offering.) Facebook Event Page

Event Participants

James Neuenschwander, M.D.

Functional & Integrative Medical Doctor

Rachel Damrow, M.Ed

Spelling to Communicate (S2C) provider

Joel Troyer

Father autistic non-speaking son, Landry

Alyssa Miller, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist S2C provider

Patricia Neuenschwander, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

James Lyons-Weiler, PhD

Research scientist and author

About the film

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.”

Genre

Documentary

Runtime

1h 23m

Released

2023

Director

Pat Notaro

Executive Producer

Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Donnie Wahlberg, Dawnmarie Gaivin, Dana Johnson, Gail Tanner

Cast

Aydan Boden, Jamie Handley, Cade Larson, Vince Rinicella, Madison Hollman, Evan Tastor, Elizabeth Bonker, Sid Sarathy

About the space

Attendees need to present ticket at welcome table at the front of the theater. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so you have time to check in and get consignments. Film will start 3:15pm without delay so we have time for our Q & A panel after the film. We are looking for community sponsors so that we may open this screening up to a larger audience. Please contact Jamie @ (616) 633-4000 regarding sponsorship opportunities. Thank you. PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS & COLLEAGUES. This film is changing lives.

theater

Wheelchair accessible

Food for sale

Indoor Event

Photos

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