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First, Don't Panic.

Trevor has been working hard to develop more fluency with multiple communication partners, including his mom and two staff members at his school. Working with new people has been a big focus of his time at REV, and he's got a few things to share about this process.

I've been spelling for almost three years now. My best, most fluent, and definitely most sarcastic communication gets across when i’m typing at dearly loved teacher’s side. RPM lets me for once say all the smart ass things I’m thinking. For now this side of me only gets to show for about an hour each week. Getting this level of communication with other people is something I’m working on, but it is hard work. So let me fill you in on what tools I’ve been finding helpful.

First. Don’t panic. The calm confidence you project spreads to me. Lots of times folks get too flustered starting with me on a board and then I give up. Getting focused helps you to better help me focus.

Pick some times for practice when I’m not too tired. This is hard physical and mental work. Too much at a time wears me out. Definitely am sweating on the inside. Would you ask someone fat to run a marathon straight off the couch? I hope not. Typing is its own type of endurance sport so let me build up to the race.

Finally, believe in me. Fat chance that I feel like trying something so hard with someone who thinks really rather insipid thoughts about the abilities of autistic people. Can we all just finally agree that so many supposed experts were wrong. We are all wrong sometimes but shouldn't we just refine our thinking so we can evolve as thinkers?