Spellers Tampa is an amazing place with even more amazing practitioners who really care about giving non speakers/unreliable speakers a voice! I had the pleasure of working alongside Melanie as an OT student and can say she is gifted in true client-centered care! Would highly recommend Spellers Center :)
We visited Tampa for an initial intensive spelling session for our 13 year old non speaking son. Our time with Dana was transformational and life changing for our son and our family. He was treated with respect and competence, which is a foundational principle of the center. We filled out an in-depth background of our son and his challenges before arriving and Dana was fully prepared at our initial meeting to support him appropriately. The spelling method was introduced to my son, and I was trained as his communication partner, so that by the time we left on our second day, I had an in-depth understanding of how to continue this method at home. This is not a magic trick, but a thoughtful method that supports building brain-motor connections so that my son can communicate what he already knows and thinks. It is earth shattering, yet makes so much logical sense at the same time. We are continuing this work on our own and plan to revisit the center again in the future as we grow with this method. I can't thank Dana and her team enough for offering this amazing service to our family.
I brought my 15 year old non-speaking daughter from NC to Spellers in Tampa for intensive sessions for both Spelling and OT. Even though this is going to be a long road ahead (Anything worth having takes time) I was so encouraged by both Dana and Emily. They had so much patiences but were also motivating with my daughter. They warned us it would be exhausting but until you see your child's first day, you can't even imagine how exhausting it is. My daughter also had some physical actions due to dysregulation. Dana took time to pause and talk me down, as I was getting upset. She helped me understand the importance of being calm with my daughter as well as understand it was not something she was doing to me or being angry with me, she was just so dysregulated. I learned so much in the short time we there and have instituted the coaching at home in all aspects of my daughter's day, not just when she is spelling. And I am shocked at the difference in her in just 3 weeks. I can hardly believe it! Additionally, I too am learning valuable skills, including having patience and calmness when working with my daughter on spelling and through out her day. I really appreciate that I can schedule online sessions with both Emily and Dana to check in or help with issues. I can not recommend this center enough!
My son is an unreliable speaker. We had our 2 day intensive with Dana Johnson this week. Wow is all I can say. She was amazing with my son and incredibly helpful teaching me how to help my son become an effective Speller.
I know this is the right avenue for my son and so many others like him. What a refreshing thing it is to find a professional that treats my son with respect and dignity of a "real" person!!! My son was so engaged while with Dana, he and I are doing very well the past few days learning our "dance" with this new motor planning. I am so excited for the future.
I finally feel we found a window my son can climb through and finally find his way to the door of communication. I HIGHLY recommend any and all persons that have a communication issue to go see Spellers. JUST MAKE THE CALL! I PROMISE BEST THING YOU WILL EVER DO FOR YOUR LOVED ONE, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR PEACE OF MIND.
Lisa Greene
Thank you Lisa, we are so proud of you and your son and the progress you're making!! We look forward to continuing to join you on your spelling journey!
Teal Jonutz2025.07.29
We came all the way from Texas to do an intensive with Dana because of her outstanding reputation and we are so pleased with our visits. Dana is so sharp, knowledgeable and incredibly kind and patient. We instantly felt so comfortable and safe with her and she was able to gently guide us on the things my son needed to have the best spelling lessons possible. I was able to learn more of HOW to keep us both regulated which can be one of the biggest challenges for Autism families. I was also so impressed with how quickly she was able to assess his motor profile and recognize that he was having possible double vision, making some boards harder to see than others.
We also had two online meetings with Jasmine to do lessons with before this intensive and we are so grateful for her helping us get started. We had been doing spelling lessons with another provider of another method previously with no spelled words in 4 months. At the very first moment of spelling with Jasmine, my son immediately spelled “insect”. Jasmine was so kind and felt like the sweetest cheerleader as I couldn’t hold back tears of joy over his first spelled word. Jasmine was able to get us set up with helpful tools and taught me quickly how to start practicing coaching my son’s motor skills to spell.
What a fantastic team the Spellers Tampa office is!!
We attended a 2-day intensive at the Spellers Center, and walked away with so much more than we expected. The experience was truly enriching and incredibly special for our entire family. Dr. Dana Johnson’s compassion, empathy, and patience went far beyond anything we imagined. We will absolutely be back!
I can't say enough about the compassion, patience, and care the whole staff at this clinic shows. We attended a 3-day intensive for Spellers, and Dana Johnson, and the staff there were phenomenal.
Thank you Dana for bringing hope to our family. Watching our daughter spell was a magical experience. We look forward to seeing her communicate using the speller techniques. We wish we would have found you sooner. Thank you for changing lives.
I cannot tell you just how wonderful it was to spend 3 days learning from Dana. We are starting over in our spelling journey and this is just what we need to get started. We can't wait to come back!
Melanie is fantastic and a miracle worker! We brought my son with nonverbal Autism and she kept him engaged and made him feel seen and understood right away. She met him where he was and he was comfortable with her quickly. She is patient, flexible, and presumed competence while assisting him with strengthening his motor skills. The Center is beautiful and so motivational with quotes by nonspeaking people. I cannot recommend Melanie and Spellers enough!
Spellers Center has been a game changer for my daughter. If you are looking for a place that sees the beauty in your child, their gifts and assumes competence this is it! We are working with Melanie and every session there is something new my daughter is accomplishing. She feels amazing about herself and I am so proud of her. Melanie has a wonderful way about her, she makes it fun and challenging. Thank you Spellers Center!
We’ve really appreciated working with Melanie at Spellers Tampa. She supports our son with intentional motor work and always treats him with respect, patience, and the presumption of competence.
Melanie has a calm, steady presence that helps him stay regulated and engaged. She knows how to support motor learning without overwhelming him.
We’re thankful for her thoughtful approach and happy to have her as part of his support team.
Aww thank-you!!! Your son CRUSHES it in our sessions and is always up for my new ideas!! I love working both with you and your son!!
Sheri Vicari2025.04.30
My daughter has been working with Melanie for 4 years and we have seen the most amazing transformation. She used to shut down in loud, busy settings and is now able to self-regulate and enjoy so many more activities. Thank you for all that you do!
Thank-you! Its been AMAZING to see the huge progress you daughter has made!! I enjoy working with her and our sessions are always so much fun!!
King 24682025.04.27
Dr Dana Johnson and Dr Melany Conway are one of the best therapists we have encountered in our lives. I can assure speller centre Tampa is a centre of excellence for our spellers. My youngest who was a fluent speller had severe health issues due to PANs for almost a year could not do any task for more than 5 min .We recently had a session with Dana it was like magic she worked with him and helped him regulate and get back to spelling for full session . I was in tears
I asked her how did this happen she replied “ When I start I believe with every fiber in my heart he will be able to spell “ that is the highest level of presuming competence all practitioners should have .
Thank you for what you do ,Dr Melany and Dr Dana God bless you.
We appreciate you and love having Jonathan and Jaden at the clinic!
Anne Schwichtenberg2025.04.25
This team is world class in helping non-speakers and their families achieve their best possible lives. You won't regret investing in your non-speaker, and these are the people best positioned to help you do it!
Thank you Anne!! We are cheering for you and your family and so appreciate your support of Spellers. Excited for what's to come for you!
Dawn Moursi2025.04.23
I have been taking my son to the Spellers Center of Tampa for the past 3 years. Jacob has come such a long way. He has been working with Melanie this last year and has gained such confidence with his spelling to communicate. Melanie is very patient and encouraging with Jacob. Jacob loves going to the Spelling Center of Tampa and working with Melanie. He even spelled out a Christmas Card for her all by himself. Melanie is amazing!
Aww it was the best Christmas card! I enjoy working with Jacob and are session!! They are always filled with fun and laughter!
Lisa2025.04.21
Highly recommend! Melanie is wonderful with my son and speaks to him with presumed competence! Dana, the owner, is also wonderful and they both have been so supportive on our Spelling journey!
Thank you!! Love working with your son and seeing him crush his goals!
Sarah Allen2025.04.21
Spellers has changed our lives.
Before coming here, our son had so much to say but no way to express it. He was lost and lonely in his own world and he felt hopeless and helpless. There was no hope for the future. Now, thanks to the incredible team at Spellers, he has a voice. We never imagined this could ever happen! He has so much to say and is so happy! He's looking forward to going to college when he's older and the future is no longer grim.
Melanie, his occupational therapist, truly sees Atty. She looks beyond his global apraxia and connects with who he really is. Her respectful and intuitive approach helps him find control over his body, without pressure—just connection and trust. She makes therapy feel safe and empowering.
Tammy, who works with Atty on his Spellers lessons, has formed a bond with him that is hard to put into words. He lights up when he sees her. Their sessions are filled with joy, patience, and real communication. Tammy meets Atty exactly where he is and helps him rise.
The team at this clinic doesn’t just work with kids like mine—they believe in them. And when someone truly believes in your child, everything changes.
We are forever grateful.
Thank-you!! Atty works so hard in all his sessions and has been crushing every goal we set for him!! I enjoy our sessions, we are always having so much fun. Keep crushing it Atty!!!
Melanie Brown2025.04.19
My son Carter (19) and myself have been working with Melanie Conway, OTD, OTR/L Spellers Method Practitioner for several months now. While she is several hundred miles away she is able to coach me via zoom. She is great at assessing my technique and coaching me through the obstacles of apraxic dysregulation. She gives me the confidence to continue with the process. While my son is not an open Speller he has proven, without a doubt, that he is cognitively intact and advanced at that. I believe that with continued coaching from Melanie that we will achieve our goal of Carter becoming an open speller.
Thank-you!! You BOTH are crushing it!! Carter is unstoppable and I'm excited to see what he does next!!! :)
Angie Day2025.04.18
I am so grateful for the incredible help Dana Johnson provided during an intensive Spellers session for my daughter. Lily is 8 years old and non speaking and has been working on her spelling for about ten months. Dana took the time to really assess Lily's needs and quickly identified that she required a different board to best support her spelling. Since making this adjustment, Lily has made tremendous progress and is now flying through her lessons! She’s one step closer to being open, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Dana's expertise and dedication made all the difference, and we are so thankful for her support!
This journey requires patience, understanding, and the right support—and that’s exactly what we’ve found with Melanie Conway.
Melanie is an incredibly skilled occupational therapist at Speller's Tampa with a deep understanding of whole-body apraxia. She has helped me understand how motor challenges affect every part of communication—not just speech but the ability to point, spell, and move with purpose. Her guidance has been essential in preparing my daughter’s body and mind for success with S2C.
Melanie brings a calm, encouraging presence to every session, and she genuinely believes in my daughter’s intelligence and potential. That belief means everything. We're still at the beginning, but with S2C and Melanie’s support, I finally feel hopeful that my daughter will one day be able to express herself fully.
If you are on the fence about trying out Spellers please take that leap you will not regret it!
Angie
Thank you, Angie! I will pass this on to Melanie as well. The combination of spelling and intentional movement is so important to the progress of our spellers. I'm very excited to hear about Lily's progress in such a short period of time. Looking forward to hearing more about her spelling journey so please keep us posted!
Dana Johnson
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