I went to Austin, Texas two weeks ago to work with Soma Mukhopadhyay at her clinic, Helping Autism through Learning and Outreach (HALO). Soma is the originator of the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM). This method has helped me build the skills necessary to communicate by spelling on a letter board or typing.

Soma worked with me on speech. This is my ultimate goal. So many people criticize RPM like it is bogus pseudoscience, but do they know that I am working on making my mouth perform speech reliably? This is the goal. I loved that Soma encouraged my speech. I am working on saying each letter as I point to them on the letter board. This helps in making my speech merge with my spelling. It was Soma who reminded me that I have speech and must continue to work on making it more purposeful. I am willing to hope I will speak more and more someday. My feeling keeps me working toward my best self.

Soma also had me writing creatively. She stressed the importance of writing some poetry and stories to allow me to explore and process feelings and emotions. This can be hard for me to do especially if I am in an emotional place, already. High emotions make it difficult to maintain my control to spell.

I really liked meeting Soma. I hope to work with her again in the future.

Below are some pieces I wrote while working with Soma. I hope you enjoy them.

My Best Always, Ian

“Like a kite we must trust the hand

that controls the string.

Life is a windy sky and the chances of getting lost is great.”

“Life is a mountain. We dismiss its strength. 

               It is sitting around us and we ignore how big it is.

Then we feel its weight when we are sad.

And feel at its top when we dream.”