Gabe's Spelling Fund

Hi, My name is Nikki Gottesmann. My son Gabe is 14 years old, Autistic and Nonspeaking. Before Gabe was born his father passed away tragically when I was 12 weeks pregnant with him. Gabe was diagnosed with autism at 18 months old. The first sign was his inability to speak. From the moment autism was suspected I had Gabe enrolled in early intervention. Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, ABA Therapy. I prayed each day and night that these therapies would help Gabe speak. What matters most is his ability to communicate. We have found the most effective method of communication for Gabe is through spelling to communicate methods which is something they do not teach in his school! Due to Gabe’s inability to communicate beyond requesting items on his communication device he has been labeled as having an Intellectual Disability. That means he is not able to access an education that is appropriate for him. He is in a segregated classroom of 5 kids in a public middle school. He wants to be included, have friends, and learn more than what he currently is. He has shared these desires with us when he is spelling to communicate. Imagine being imprisoned in your own body. That is what it's like for Gabe.

I am excited that our amazing followers on our Facebook page For The Love Of Gabe have asked that we create a GoFundMe for our community to help Gabe continue to receive these important spelling sessions. Gabe has found his voice! He has shown the ability to communicate in depth through spelling. Gabe has been working with a Communication Specialist for over a year. He attends sessions twice a week with his Communication Specialist, Ingrid. His spelling sessions teach and give him opportunities to practice the motor movements needed to point to letters on a letterboard and/or type on his communication device so he can effectively spell his thoughts. Because of the brain body disconnect, a trained communication regulation partner is necessary to help Gabe initiate communication and keep his body in rhythm to complete his thoughts. Over this time period Gabe has advanced tremendously, however he is not a fluent open speller yet. He is still learning along with me and his bonus mom.

In order for Gabe to continue to make progress he needs more spelling sessions in the office with Ingrid. We are so grateful that Gabe has finally found his voice! Unfortunately this communication method is not covered by insurance. We pay out of pocket $120/session twice a week which is becoming difficult to maintain. Our goal is to raise enough money for Gabe to attend three sessions a week for a year.

The last message Gabe spelled before running out of time was the following:

DEAR FRIENDS, HAVE KIND HEARTS TO PEOPLE...the session came to end at that point. The more time he devotes to spelling to communicate with Ingrid the more fluent he will become. I hate that he has to wait so long to be able to get his thoughts and feelings out.

We appreciate how much love and support Gabe and our family receives online! Thank you for offering to support Gabe on his spelling journey!

If you are interested in learning more about this method of spelling to communicate please watch the documentary Spellers on YouTube.

We can’t thank you all enough for all of the love and support we receive! It truly takes a village and we have the best one!

Thank you!

Nicole, Caroline, and Gabe