The Telepathy Tapes
Ep. 8: Gatekeepers of Truth - Telepathy and the Spelling Controversy
Mon, 11 Nov 2024
In Episode 8 of The Telepathy Tapes, we dive into the controversial world of spelling as a method of communication for non-speakers with autism. This episode reveals the deep divide between families and educators who see spelling as a pathway to independence and those who doubt its legitimacy. Through heartfelt accounts, including a mother’s struggle with her son’s school and the stigmas imposed by professional organizations, we witness the courage of those fighting for non-speakers’ rights to communicate. Expanding the exploration of telepathy beyond spelling, we meet Kyle and his mother Caroline, who communicate solely through dream telepathy and non-verbal communication, demonstrating the boundless forms that connection can take. As we uncover these remarkable experiences, we’re invited to question what we know about communication, autonomy, and the unseen capabilities within us all. Join The Telepathy Tapes Backstage Pass to get ad-free episodes, never-before-heard interviews, behind-the-scenes documentary footage, and access to our private Discord community.This is your invitation to come closer. To help shape what’s next. To be more than a listener… to be a co-creator of this paradigm shift. So if you’ve felt moved, if you’ve felt seen, if you’ve felt the call—subscribe today and join us: thetelepathytapes.supercast.com. Follow The Telepathy Tapes: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetelepathytapes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@telepathytapes YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTelepathyTapes Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetelepathytapes X/Twitter: https://x.com/TelepathyTapes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chapter 1: What is the Telepathy Tapes podcast about?
Hey, what's up, everyone? This is Kai Dickens, and you're listening to the Telepathy Tapes podcast. When I put out the Telepathy Tapes in 2024, I didn't put any ads on it. But since then, this endeavor has evolved into a full-time job. We're producing a season two, and we just rolled out the talk tracks. And I've been excited to finally hire a staff in order to help me make those things happen.
And we've just had to grow in a way that I was never anticipating. And so in order to pay for this, we are turning on ads. But that is a critical piece in being able to continue this work so that those of us doing the research and working to bring these episodes to you are getting paid for our time.
So thank you so much for understanding as we move into this new phase of the telepathy tapes and the talk tracks.
My son said to me, I can hear thoughts. What is this phenomena happening? Why are his mind and my mind completely connected? Telepathy is the tip of the iceberg with their spiritual gifts.
People don't understand that they can do this. They don't even have to be in the same room, the same zip code.
For decades, a very specific group of people have been claiming telepathy is happening in their homes and in their classrooms. And nobody has believed them. Nobody has listened to them. But on this podcast, we do. Welcome to the eighth episode of the Telepathy Tapes. Spelling is the greatest hope parents have to unlock their kids, and it's also the sharpest weapon used against them.
If you're not in this world, it's difficult to understand how contentious and vicious the attacks are against spellers and their method of communication. Lily, the speller that you met in episode four, sent me this message.
Spelling is the only method that has given hope to non-speakers and shown the world our beautiful minds. But so many people don't want to believe that the words are our own.
The very existence of this episode is controversial because there is so much at stake. For the parents, it's hope. For the spellers, it's their autonomy and education. And for those railing against spelling, there's money, systems, and the ramifications of admitting a mistake that has costed thousands of kids their education, their hope, and personhood. In episode three, you met Katie in Houston.
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Chapter 2: Why is spelling controversial for non-speakers?
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A series of high-profile court cases in the 1990s cast doubt on facilitated communication, an earlier method that involved more physical assistance than today's independent spelling techniques.
As ABC News had reported on Primetime Live in 1992, a new therapy had appeared on the scene, something called facilitated communication, or FC. It seemed like a revolutionary idea that if someone holds an autistic child's hand or arm a certain way, that child can type their own thoughts.
In several cases, facilitated communication produced accusations of sexual abuse against family members or caregivers, sparking court cases and intense media attention.
It was just a few keystrokes. A couple of sentences on a computer screen. The severely autistic Aislinn Windrow is describing her weekend and types this on her computer at school. My dad gets me up. He puts his hands on my private parts. Wendro's lives would never be the same.
Allegations like this that turned out to be false turned public opinion against facilitated communication.
Several different cases where individuals who were not trained and got their messages with the person who was spelling discredited.
ABC News reported that the facilitator in this case was not adequately trained or prepared to serve as a communication partner.
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