Awesome Nonspeakers

Sheridan Ripley
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Parenting

For over 12 years, I have worked with nonspeakers and their families. This podcast is a place where I share what I have learned, what I am still learning, and the unique tools that have helped so many families feel more calm, connected, and supported. Here, I presume competence, honor connection, and make space for hope and expression for nonspeakers, unreliable speakers, and their families. You’ll hear interviews with parents and insights from nonspeakers and unreliable speakers. You will hear about my experiences with Spirit to Spirit communication, the Hill, and the journey that led me to begin sharing this sacred part of my work more openly. I talk about AAC, spelling-based communication, sensory experiences, regulation, energy work, The Telepathy Tapes, and the deeper ways connection and communication can grow beyond spoken words. This podcast supports families with children across a wide range of diagnoses and experiences, including autism, apraxia, aphasia, Down syndrome, and more. If you know there is more to your child than the world may see - or hear, this podcast is for you. I keep the weekly episodes short, practical, and full of useful encouragement. If this sounds like the support you’ve been looking for, subscribe and explore the free resources at www.awesomeautismtools.com

  1. 5d ago

    #62 It's Hard to Be Misunderstood (And Your Nonspeaker Feels It Too)

    I recently had an experience reminding me how scary and unsafe it can feel to be misunderstood. Reflecting on that, I thought of how often nonspeakers live with that feeling—whether they communicate through open spelling, supported spelling, devices, or behaviors like screaming or leading a parent by the hand. I talk about how feeling unsafe can push the nervous system into hyperarousal (like self-injury, hitting, or over-explaining) or hypoarousal (shutting down, withdrawing, or sleeping), and how nervous system regulation tools helped me after my own situation. For parents, I suggest acknowledging to your child, “You’re probably feeling misunderstood…I’m here with you and I love you,” Sign up for my Very Awesome Friends Newsletter - by clicking here. You will gain free access to the private podcast, get extra in-depth episodes, visualizations, etc. - as well as other awesome bonuses. Follow me on Instagram @awesomenonspeakers

    10 min

  2. May 19

    #61 Energy Session: Bryson's Beach Incident Cleared!

    A Sample Energy Session: That Quickly Turned Real! In episode 52 I said I’d try recording a sample energy session, so I did—using a real situation from when my son Bryson was little and lost a plastic boat at the beach. I start to walk through how I’d do a session (usually with the mom), including asking questions, pausing for a prayer, noticing emotions like sadness, worry, and fear, clearing a negative cord to the beach/ocean, and releasing beliefs like “the beach is not safe” and “the ocean steals things from me,” then replacing them with safer beliefs. As I recorded, something deeper came up connected to tsunami energy around when Bryson was conceived, and I also realized I needed to clear my own fear about Bryson living by the ocean. I end by sharing what a successful session can feel like and inviting someone to do a free recorded session. 00:00 Why This Session Matters 00:54 Setting Up The Demo 01:47 Intake Questions And Prayer 04:07 Clearing Emotions And Cords 06:08 Releasing Limiting Beliefs 06:46 Tsunami Network Revelation 08:37 Installing Safe Beach Beliefs 10:06 Checking For Objections 10:21 Clearing Mom's Beach Fears 12:35 Closing The Session 12:45 What A Session Covers Curious about working with me? Sign up for my Very Awesome Friends Newsletter so you don’t miss new podcast episodes, the private podcast feed, free classes, and other helpful tools I share along the way. If something in this episode resonated with you and you are curious whether energy work could help, you can sign up for a free call with me. We’ll talk about what you or your child are experiencing and see if an energy work session would be supportive for your situation. Follow me on Instagram @awesomenonspeakers

    15 min

  3. May 12

    #60 Why Should You Try Energy Work?

    Energy Work 101: Clearing the Traffic Jams in Mind, Body, and Spirit In this episode I explain energy work in a simple way using a traffic jam analogy: when something blocks the flow in our mind, body, or spirit—like stuck emotions, limiting beliefs, trauma, or even “energetic weapons”— it can create problems in mood, thoughts, relationships, and physical symptoms. I also clarify that energy work is a complimentary tool and doesn’t replace doctors, therapists, or good nutrition. Curious to see if energy work could help you? Sign up for my Very Awesome Friends Newsletter so you don’t miss new podcast episodes, the private podcast feed, free classes, and other helpful tools I share along the way. If something in this episode resonated with you and you are curious whether energy work could help, you can sign up for a free call with me. We’ll talk about what you or your child are experiencing and see if an energy work session would be supportive for your situation. Follow me on Instagram @awesomenonspeakers

    11 min

  4. May 5

    #59 Does Your Nonspeaker Think You Can Hear Their Thoughts?

    In this episode, I share a message I often pass along from non-speaking clients to their parents: some kids believe they’re communicating mind-to-mind to their parents, because they can hear their parents’ thoughts and assume it works both ways. This can lead to frustration when parents don’t “listen.” In Spirit to Spirit Sessions I explain that most parents can’t hear their child’s thoughts, they “hear” with their ears. It will help your child if you tell them directly, “I can’t hear what you’re thinking, I only know how to hear thoughts with my ears” and to name the ways you can understand—pointing, leading by the hand, spelling, or using a communication device. I also encourage parents and siblings to keep speaking out loud because the nonspeakers are listening with their ears (in addition some with their mind) and want to be included. Check out my episode on my private podcast, “Telepathy Missteps: Why Words Still Matter,” Want to learn more about Spirit to Spirit Sessions? Head over to AwesomeAutismTools.com/spirit where you can read testimonials, listen to part of a session and get a better feel for what these sessions are like. From there, you can sign up for a free call to see if we are a good fit, or if you already feel ready, you can sign up directly for a session. Follow me on Instagram @awesomenonspeakers

    10 min

  5. Apr 28

    #58 Joybubbles: The Sundance Film That Touched My Heart

    This week I share about a documentary I saw at Sundance called Joybubbles, The film follows Joybubbles, a man born blind who learned to whistle into the telephone to make free calls in the 1950s and 60s as a “phone freak,” later working for the phone company and living independently, including in a high-rise apartment he’d long dreamed about. He describes a childhood near-death experience involving “bubbles of love,” which reminded me of the Hill and how kids have described similar “love bubbles.” Later, he watched Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood archives to heal. Near the end of his life he created a phone-based “podcast” of joyful recordings people could call, then reach him personally for support. The screening’s audio description also taught me new ways to make movies more accessible for blind loved ones and reinforced how essential communication and being heard are, especially for nonspeakers. Follow me on Instagram @awesomenonspeakers Sign up for my Very Awesome Friends Newsletter - by clicking here. If you are curious about working with me, visit here. Follow me on Instagram @awesomenonspeakers

    10 min

  6. Apr 21

    #57 Don't Miss The Story Behind My New Podcast Name

    In this episode, I share an exciting announcement: my podcast is now called Awesome Nonspeakers. I talk about why I made this change, what inspired it, and why this new name feels like a better fit for the work I have been doing with nonspeakers and their families for over 12 years. I also share my new podcast description, explain the heart behind the tagline, and reflect on a powerful group coaching experience that helped me see more clearly why using my voice in this way matters. You can still find all my resources, where to sign up for sessions, and blog posts at awesomeautismtools.com. Want to learn more about Spirit to Spirit Sessions?Head over to AwesomeAutismTools.com/spirit where you can read testimonials, listen to part of a session and get a better feel for what these sessions are like. From there, you can sign up for a free call to see if we are a good fit, or if you already feel ready, you can sign up directly for a session. Follow me on Instagram @awesomenonspeakers

    12 min

  7. Apr 14

    #56 Have You Ever Been Hit by an Energy Weapon?

    Energetic Weapons: What They Are, How They Show Up, and How I Clear Them I explain what I mean by “energetic weapons,” using the idea of feeling “stabbed in the back” as an example of an energetic attack rather than a literal weapon. I share how these can appear as knives, ropes, arrows, or even nontraditional items like a muffin (representing my son’s burden of responsibility in a club) or a book, and how a person, fear triggers like airplanes, or even a child’s self-injurious behavior can feel like energetic weapons as well. Then I explain how I work with clearing these in a session. Sign up for my Very Awesome Friends Newsletter so you don’t miss new podcast episodes, the private podcast feed, free classes, and other helpful tools I share along the way. If something in this episode resonated with you and you are curious whether energy work could help, you can sign up for a free call with me. We’ll talk about what you or your child are experiencing and see if an energy work session would be supportive for your situation. Follow me on Instagram @awesomenonspeakers

    9 min

  8. Apr 7

    #55 Madison (a nonspeaker) Thoughts About the Hill and More

    In this special episode, I interview Madison, a nonspeaking communicator who shares her thoughts by spelling on a letter board with the support of her communication partner. At times, Madison also says some of the words she spells. You may hear her communication partner say the words that Madison has spelled, and I’ve chosen to leave the interview unedited so you can experience her communication as it happened. I’ll also share a video version on YouTube for those who want to see the spelling process in action, along with a transcript so you can easily see/hear Madison’s responses to my questions… you can access both at this link: https://awesomeautismtools.com/madison-thoughts-about-the-hill/ Madison says spelling is rewarding because it lets her express her thoughts and feelings. We discuss “the Hill,” which Madison says she knew before the Telepathy Tapes. And we also cover a lot of other fascinating topics as well! Follow me on Instagram @awesomenonspeakers Sign up for my Very Awesome Friends Newsletter - by clicking here. If you are curious about working with me, visit here. Follow me on Instagram @awesomenonspeakers

    34 min
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Trailer

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About

For over 12 years, I have worked with nonspeakers and their families. This podcast is a place where I share what I have learned, what I am still learning, and the unique tools that have helped so many families feel more calm, connected, and supported. Here, I presume competence, honor connection, and make space for hope and expression for nonspeakers, unreliable speakers, and their families. You’ll hear interviews with parents and insights from nonspeakers and unreliable speakers. You will hear about my experiences with Spirit to Spirit communication, the Hill, and the journey that led me to begin sharing this sacred part of my work more openly. I talk about AAC, spelling-based communication, sensory experiences, regulation, energy work, The Telepathy Tapes, and the deeper ways connection and communication can grow beyond spoken words. This podcast supports families with children across a wide range of diagnoses and experiences, including autism, apraxia, aphasia, Down syndrome, and more. If you know there is more to your child than the world may see - or hear, this podcast is for you. I keep the weekly episodes short, practical, and full of useful encouragement. If this sounds like the support you’ve been looking for, subscribe and explore the free resources at www.awesomeautismtools.com

Information

  • Creator
    Sheridan Ripley
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Sheridan Ripley
  • Show Website
    Awesome Nonspeakers

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