SPELLERS
Hosted by Carolyn Gammicchia
In-person
When
Apr 27, 6:00 PM EDT
Where
Macomb Intermediate School District
44001 Garfield Road , Michigan/Superior Rooms, Clinton Township, MI, 48038
Price
Free Screening
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About the event
Please join us for an event you will not want to miss. April is Autism Awareness Month and as we close out the month, we are bringing the film Spellers to families to view and discuss. 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. You will meet eight individuals and their families as they share their experiences of accessing a means of communication that finally gives them a voice. https://spellersthemovie.com/
Rachel Damrow, parent of a six year old son with ASD and founder of Spectrum Pathway - Spelling to Communicate, will be speaking on what S2C is and how it can assist non-speakers. www.spectrumpathway.com
Additionally Carolyn, Andrew Gammicchia, and Nicholas Gammicchia, long time advocates for individuals with disabilities, will be available to facilitate a discussion after the film. Nicholas Gammicchia, a former non-speaker and 31 year old young man with ASD, will also be sharing some of his art work and discuss "Nick's Art Project". www.nicksartproject.com
Event Participants
Rachel Damrow
Spectrum Pathway - S2C
The Gammicchia Family
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
This screening will take place at the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) in the Michigan/Superior Rooms located on the north side of the building. Please use the north entrance and doors will open at 5:30pm. We will have tables and chairs available for a comfortable viewing. The film will begin at 6:00pm and we will be serving light refreshments. A discussion will take place after the film and there will be free a Autism Awareness items raffle and Resource Guides available. You must register by clicking on the ticket button, and registering your party to attend, due to limited seating available.
Wheelchair accessible
Bring your own food
school