My oldest child is 11, he has profound autism (trying to not use terminology that will offend anyone, but what used to be called severe ie with what appear to be massive learning difficulties. He can sometimes point to things you ask him to find in books but not always, and has difficulty following all but the most basic instructions). I've been reading about "spelling to communicate" and I can't see how it could work with someone who, as far as we can tell, can't read at all. I know everyone says presume competence but our house is full of books and he still only looks at the likes of the gruffalo (and turns pages too rapidly to be really reading - often upside down, too!). I'm intrigued by the idea of it as PECS, makaton and AAC have all had really limited success for him. It's so hard to know if it's wishful thinking but I feel sure there is an ability to communicate there somewhere - I don't mean we're going to be sitting discussing Proust together, but enough that he could tell me basic things like he wants a drink, his ear hurts etc. I'd be so interested if anyone had any experience of using it with children/yp who don't give the outward appearance of being ready or able to learn to spell?