Hello there! My name is Ashlyn, and I am so happy you’re here.

To better understand my background and my “why”, the first thing you should know is that I have a stutter. Despite my stutter being mild in severity, its impact on me has been resounding. Although I have always loved meeting new people and building connections with others, living with a stutter led to a deep-rooted anxiety around public speaking at a young age. We’re not just talking about a fear of presentations and speeches in front of large crowds—but talking to strangers in the store, ordering at a restaurant, making phone calls, speaking up in school, and even talking to close friends and family. My communication disorder became debilitating, and I began speech therapy in middle school to seek help. Although I learned tools and strategies to manage life with a stutter, what I gained beyond that is so much more valuable.

Through years of speech therapy that lasted into early adulthood, I found a passion for learning about communication disorders and helping others who face them. I was being called to help those who stutter, just like me. This led me to earn a degree in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University San Marcos in 2019. I was fired up and knew that I had discovered my purpose in life.

During the COVID pandemic, I began my graduate program through Idaho State University (online, of course!) and through life’s unexpected turns, found myself working at a local high school as a 1:1 aide in the “moderate-severe” special needs program. Most of the students were “nonverbal” or “minimally verbal”, and had differences such as autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and more. It was there that I discovered an entirely new passion working with students with communication differences and high-level needs. Connection, presumption of competence, empathy, love, and individualistic support all flowed naturally. Before I knew it, my purpose had shifted and my path had altered—leading me to here.

Pivoting from the field of traditional speech-language pathology, I was introduced to the world of spelled communication. My life changed that day, and I knew I was meant to find this niche field of communication support. It seemed that my life experience as a person who stutters, education in speech-language pathology, work experience in the school system, and naturally engrained gift for helping those with high-level needs, had all led me to this moment. I interviewed with Dawnmarie Gaivin, co-founder of Spellers Method and founder of Spellers Center San Diego, and the rest is history.

After training as an S2C (Spelling to Communicate) practitioner and Spellers Method Provider, I have never looked back. Now with 3+ years of being immersed in this methodology, I’ve honed my skills as a confident, compassionate provider, finding the greatest fulfillment in meeting new spellers, getting to know their unique needs, guiding them through the ups and downs of their communication journey, and supporting families through education and coaching.

My experience as a person who stutters gives me a unique perspective—I know what it feels like to have something to say, but to struggle to get my body to say it. It can be frustrating and challenging, but with the right tools and strategies (just as there are for your child) communication is possible.

I would be honored to walk this journey with you and your child. If you have questions, hesitancies, or just want to learn more, please reach out and we can navigate them together.

Much love,

Ashlyn