Early this month we went out to a Chinese restaurant in Manchester to celebrate Micah’s 32nd birthday. As we ate dinner, we reminisced about Micah’s birthday celebration held in the same room two years previously when he turned 30. Two years ago, was pre-Spelling to Communicate, it was about four months after his 30th birthday that we started the S2C journey and what a wild ride it has been. Just the fact that Micah was able to spell out where he wanted to go for his birthday dinner was something I never imagined possible two years ago. When I planned his 30th birthday party I picked Chinese food as I was confident that Micah liked it, but I could have easily made the wrong choice. It was a happy confirmation of that choice when he spelled out Chinese food and specifically the same restaurant to go back to. for this birthday. Perhaps he was being nostalgic, I know I sat there thinking, that two years ago I had no clue of what Micah was thinking. Spelling to Communicate (S2C) has opened up a window to Micah’s world that we are still trying to wrap our minds around.
Even with S2C, it is not all rainbows and unicorns. Living with autism is a hard journey. Micah struggles with apraxia, which means he has a body that does not do what he wants it to do and often seems to do the opposite of what he wants. But at least now, he can spell out, sometimes hours later, what the battle was about. This past week, his S2C practitioner, Melody asked him if it bothered him when people ask him questions. (I confess my guilt here as I so want to know what he is thinking that I ask him many questions). Micah spelled out “It can be a pain in the ass.” This answer made me laugh as it was so honest, and something his brothers would say as well. Another peek into what he is thinking that just makes me want to know more. I am hoping that when he progresses to a keyboard, it will be less laborious for him to spell out his thoughts, but that may not be the case. Meanwhile the only way to know is to ask him questions that apparently annoy him at times.
Two years ago, I had no idea my son has a far better vocabulary than I have. In one of his recent lessons with Beth (Micah’s primary S2C practitioner) she asked him what color the hottest part of flame is. Now if we actually knew the answer is blue, we would be correct, but Micah spelled out “Cerulean” a word I had to google to find out the meaning. Probably my art major sister and daughter-in law know that Cerulean is blue, but I had no clue. Just about every S2C lesson with Micah finds me googling at least one of his responses to know what he is talking about. He has not been wrong yet.
Two years ago, I would have never believed that Micah could read my mind. Now I know that it is true. Believe me that is a scary thought as my mind goes down all kinds of crazy rabbit trails. It must be exhausting for Micah and his peers to have this gift. I am hoping he can turn this ability on and off as needed, but I already ask him too many questions, so I will save this one for now. The journey continues and I think we are just getting a hint of the tip of the ice burg of his world. If you want a better understanding, do listen to the Telepathy Tapes podcast. There is a movie coming out next year documenting what they are learning about Micah and his peers. Stay tuned!
Jan Lessard Peightell, December 16, 2025
PS Thanks so much to those of you who donated to Our Homestead’s Giving Tuesday campaign. We have been blessed with over $13,000 during our first month of fund raising. All funds will go towards much needed housing for adults with Developmental Disabilities. If interested, check out our website at https://ourhomesteadnh.org/