Spellers Advisory Council
Kwame Brobbey
My name is Kwame Brobbey. I live in Manassas, VA with my parents and older brother. I am a non-speaking Autistic. I use a device to communicate.
I am studying for my high school diploma. I want to go to college and become a writer. I enjoy watching TV, basketball, reading, and walking in the park.
Joshua Greiner
I am a nonspeaking autistic man.
I’m testing a high level of hope in the world. I believe in kindness, respect and love for everyone. It really helps to uplift the hopes of people with autism. They deserve to be given the kindness of people just like everyone else.
I primarily enjoy spending time in nature. I love the hopeful insights I get when surrounded by the trees. To go to the mountains or the beach are my church. God is there quietly listening to my thoughts for people be kind.
Emily Grodin
Emily Grodin is a college student studying journalism, psychology and creative writing. She has been featured in Leaders Around Me and Amuse-Bouche, a literary publication of Antioch College. Most recently she has become a published author with the release of her memoir I Have Been Buried Under Years of Dust (HarperCollins April 2021) co-written with mother, Valerie Gilpeer, which details her experience as a minimal speaker who learned to communicate using alternative communication at the age of 25. She was honored as Advocate of the Year by The Learning Rights Law Center in October 2021, and recognized by the California Legislature and The Los Angeles City Council for her contribution to the community. Emily has been a staff writer for The Valley Star News, the student paper of the Los Angeles Valley College. In October 2022 Emily was recognized by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society with their first annual Award of Excellence for her academic accomplishments and her poetry. Her poetry has been published in Solstice Literary Magazine as well as The White Rose.
Emily is an advocate for herself and members of her community in an effort to dispel the misconceptions and nonacceptance of those with autism. She has given countless interviews about her book and the impact that communication has had on her life.
Aulton Grubbs
I am Aulton Joseph Grubbs. I want to show that like an “old town”, which is the meaning of my name, I have a legacy to create. I am an Autistic, 17-year-old, from Tucson, Arizona, who spells to communicate. I have had an essay published in PenPoint Magazine, a song that I wrote featured on the album “Silently Loud” by Unrestricted Interest, I have a self-published book of poems, entitled “A Speaker True.” I have received a “Student Champion” award from VELA Education Fund for work ethic and leadership. I have sold several paintings, with detailed descriptions of the work. Generally, I hope to make a statement about all people who do not speak; I have an understanding beyond expectation and I promise to devote my thoughts to the betterment of society.
Sophia Kapoor
My name is Sophia Kapoor and I am 20 years old. I live in Northern Virginia and have a twin sister. I love books, poetry, art and traveling with my family to different places. I would love to be an activist to create awareness on non speaking autism on advocacy of communication in different ways. I found my voice using a letter board and look forward to an enriched and meaningful life with my family and friends.
Ido Kedar
Ido Kedar, 26, is the author of the nonfictional memoir, “Ido in Autismland; Climbing Out of Autism’s Silent Prison,” and the fictional novel, “In Two Worlds.” Ido has been an advocate and educator about autism since he was 12 years old. In addition to his books, he presents lectures, does interviews and blogs at www.idoinautismland.com. He communicates by typing on a keyboard and tablet. He is an avid hiker and baker.
Justice Reign Killebrew
Justice Reign Killebrew is a non-speaking 16 year old who has autism. J, as he is affectionately called, types to communicate. He uses his gift of communication to educate others on presuming competence when you encounter people like him.
J is an Actor, Voice Actor, Model, and Public Speaker. He has appeared as the keynote speaker for the CAMA Conference and Person-Centered Plan Presenter for the Statewide Self Determination Conference.
Ian Marcus
I am a 19 year old guy who is currently minimally speaking with autistic traits. I attend Rowan College and in addition I am studying Environmental Sustainably through the University of Illinois. I am interested in finding better ways to heal and help Mother Earth as well as spreading love and compassion, acting as a mirror and guide for humanity.
I love nature, hiking, riding my horse, my dog, and swimming. I also enjoy music and writing poetry.
I want to be a voice for other non or minimally speaking individuals so they feel heard and given the best opportunities for a life of joy, peace, and grace.
Jake Reisman
Jake Reisman is a 20-year-old. who communicates through spelling and typing. He can’t wait to share his insights with others who don’t have reliable speech. Jake is an invaluable teacher, helping us learn more about what he really wants and how to make it happen! His observations and ideas will definitely change your interactions in ways you can’t imagine.
Jeremy Sicile-Kira
San Diego-based intuitive artist Jeremy Sicile-Kira is a synesthete – he sees and feels emotion as colors. Voices and music elicit colors as well. Jeremy was one of the first non-speaking autistic students to graduate from high school with a full academic diploma. He gave a commencement speech using voice output technology. Advocacy for others like Jeremy who have no voice is an important part of his life. Jeremy co-authored a book A Full Life with Autism (Macmillan) and served as a Youth Representative to the United Nations for the Autism Research Institute (NGO); as a youth leader for the Autistic Global Initiative, and as a youth advisor to the California Employment Consortium for Youth (CECY). Jeremy attended Community College until he discovered his real passion: painting.
In 2012, Jeremy began to tell others about his dreams: dreams that he was painting the emotions of people into colorful abstract portraits. One night he dreamt that he painted ten of his paintings and had an art show. Jeremy was encouraged by to make this dream come true, and began to paint in real life. His style is abstract expressionism. In 2016 his first curated solo art show was covered by national and local media, resulting in a sold-out show and many private commissions. Awards include: 2016 ART San Diego Spotlight Artist; RMG’s 2016 Platform Artist of the Year, Finalist; Featured Artist Mission Fed Art Walk 2020. Jeremy paints private commissions of people’s portraits in his studio, gives live-painting presentations at conferences, and ability awareness talks at local schools to inspire others. For more information visit Jeremysvision.com .
My Mission: Greatly my mission is to show people their inner beauty and spiritual essence. Before I learned to type to communicate, I frankly lived in darkness. Gradually over time my mother and others taught me. Then I realized I had the ability to learn, and that I had gifts that were hidden until I was able to show others what I was capable of doing through typing. This saved me from a life of despair. Now frankly, I do the same for others – I have learned to give people hope by showing them their inner qualities. Frankly I love to see their surprise when they see the painting and read the description, that they have all these beautiful attributes.
Marrok Sedgwick
Marrok Sedgwick is a documentary filmmaker and learning scientist. He is a non-speaking autistic person with other disabilities. He is a transgender person. His documentary films support disability and LGBT communities’ dreams. A learning scientist is a person who studies how people learn. Marrok is currently a PhD student at University of Illinois at Chicago. He studies how non-speaking youth learn with new media. New media includes computers, photos, videos, the Internet, and social media. He wants to create new ways for people to teach students with developmental disabilities.
Rithik Sinhasan
I am 18 years old, non-speaking and autistic. I enjoy reading, listening to audiobooks, swimming, traveling, and meeting people. I love creative writing and have written a novella. I hope to be an author someday.
I have two new hobbies that affect me in a different way. Rock climbing gives me a rush and abstract painting calms me and I love them both.I wrote an essay for a Dr. Martin Luther King Day competition that won an award. I have written for the Lynx Project and my work is featured on their music CD, Beautiful Small Things. I was interviewed by the Chicago Tribune in relation to the CD. I have published an article on Neuroclastic.
Alex Wetherell
Hi, I am Alex Wetherell. I am excited to be on the Advisory Council with my friends. I am ecstatic about our adventure. I know if we work together we will really change the future of all humans with disabilities. RPM has opened my world so incredibly much. It has given me my voice and given my family memories that will last forever. I am very honored to get to learn more and participate in this group for the future of Teva.
Teva Community Board Members Ben Breaux and Danny Whitty are also members of the Spellers Advisory Council.