Unlock Voices. Change Lives.
Your kid has so much to say.
Empowering authentic communication, one letter at a time. Occupational Therapy support for non-speaking Autistics to find their voice via Rapid Prompting Method (RPM).
Loved by Pilot Participants
"Luc, you first introduced RPM to us and while I admit I was a bit hesitant at first to try another ‘method’ for him to communicate, you knew this was the right way to hear his voice. Thank you for never giving up on him. I didn’t know he could answer YES/NO or even comprehend an open ended question. I have been talking to everyone about the highlights of him spelling so deliberately!"
What's RPM?
RPM is a method to teach non-speaking Autists to spell their thoughts on a letterboard or via typing, with the support of a communication partner. It emphasizes motor learning, quick verbal prompts, and intrinsically motivating education.
Key Features
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Presuming Competence
RPM begins with the belief that non-speakers have inherent understanding and are fully capable of comprehension and expression, regardless of prior success with AAC or speech.
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Motor Focus & Adaptation
Non-speaking communication in Autism is a sensory and motor support need, not an intellectual one. Shifting from fine (speech) to gross motor (pointing/spelling) makes expression accessible.
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Learning-Driven Communication
Letterboards are a tool, used for age-appropriate learning. Spelling during lessons builds motor skills without ABA-style drills, allowing autonomous communication to emerge naturally.
How It Works
Service Overview
An FCP is a Facilitated Communication Partner. In the initial stages, this is the person responsible for handling the letterboard, creating and delivering lessons, and providing prompts. Choose either:
- You: A committed caregiver who we train
- OTA: Our trained OTA (only in Coquitlam)
Success with RPM depends on consistent and frequent practice.
- 30-minute RPM lessons, 3-5x per week delivered by FCP
- Sessions adapted for tolerance (can be split across shorter lessons)
Weekly remote lessons are led by an RPM Level 3 Practitioner, with the FCP facilitating on the letterboard. Weekly video reviews of FCP-led sessions are followed by a coaching call for personalized training and support. Bi-monthly home visits from an RPM Level 3 Practitioner provide progress assessments and strategy refinement.
- Closed Speller: Learning motor patterns, building tolerance, and establishing a routine with structured letterboard lessons.
- Semi-Open Speller: Accurately pointing to dictated letters and engaging in prompts like “letter tennis,” and fill-in-the-blanks. Beginning to respond to open-ended questions.
- Open Speller: Expressing opinions, making autonomous choices, and demonstrating deeper knowledge.
- Transitioning: Expanding communication to multiple FCPs and board types, integrating spelling communication into daily life
Progress is highly individual, depending on consistency, trust, age, and sensory needs. Many clients have spent years misunderstood or subjected to ABA-style drilling, so building communication takes patience and relationship. The goal is real autonomy, not forced compliance. Our pilot participants took about a year to transition from Closed to Semi-Open Speller.
While we strive to be inclusive of all neurotypes, this pilot cohort is designed to build on the successes of our initial program and refine our approach. At this stage, we are exclusively accepting non-speaking Autistic teens (13-18yo). Currently, this service is not suited for participants with a diagnosed intellectual disability.
Building on the success and insights from our first cohort, our second pilot program is now open! The program is OT supervised and eligible for AFU, AHP, or DL funding coverage with approved authorizations.