My Travel Blog: Week 2

Conference: Motormorphosis 2024 Virginia, USA

Week two has been a wonderful adventure and learning experience in Up State New York and Virginia.

Part A: Virginia

Week two started when I attended Motormorphosis 2024. This is the largest conference in the world for non-speakers who communicate using a letterboard or keyboard.

We broke a world record at Motormorphosis this year when 143 nonspeaking autistics and minimally and unreliable speakers came together. This made me feel very special and like people care about us. About 500 people attended the conference including Communication and Regulation Partners, Speech Pathologists, OTs, parents, non-speakers, I-ASC team members and allies.

I would give the conference a 100 percent rating because I got to meet spellers and people who are awesome. The conference made me feel welcome and like I belong.

My favourite part of the conference was meeting autistic nonspeaking spellers. I also liked meeting parents who believe in their child and presume competence.

It has been enthralling and educational. As well as I could have imagined and better. I learnt that I am not alone, and I have a community. I arranged for new friendship connections and email addresses. On the Thursday before the conference began, I met four non speakers who spell to communicate and I spell chatted with them about their life. It was a momentous occasion for me because I had never met another nonspeaking speller in person. I felt as if I had been transported to another world.

I also attended swimming parties, dance parties, speeches and a spellers and allies event.

I would like to thank I-ASC for organising Motormorphosis 2024.

I think it was life-changing for me and I would love to come back next year. Can you help and sponsor me? Patrick

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*Week 2: Part B - Coming soon.