
198 How Understanding Apraxia changes your child's Education - with Dana Johnson
From Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners by Vaish Sarathy
November 28, 2025 · 43 min · Episode 198
About this episode
The episode discusses how understanding apraxia can transform a child's education and communication abilities.
I first spoke with Dana Johnson nearly 4 years ago, and that conversation completely changed how I saw vision and learning. I call it my "ocular motor awakening" when I truly understood that vision has three components, and only one of them is corrected by glasses. Dana is the co-creator of the Spellers Method and the founder of multiple centers dedicated to helping non-speaking individuals communicate and learn with purpose. As both an occupational therapist (OT) and a Spellers Method practitioner, she brings a unique approach to supporting individuals with autism, apraxia, dyspraxia, and sensory-motor differences. In this episode, we talk about the power of purposeful motor skills, breaking down barriers for non-speakers, and what real communication means. Key Takeaways: Vision isn't just about eyesight it's about how the brain processes what we see. Apraxia is a motor planning challenge, not a cognitive one. Communication is possible when we focus on purposeful motor skills. What does right support look like? Get in Touch: 👉 Learn more about Dana Johnson's work at Spellers Method Tampa 👉 Connect with Dr. Vaish Sarathy on Instagram: @drvaishsarathy
People in this episode
Host: Vaish Sarathy
Guest: Dana Johnson
Topics covered
- apraxia
- communication
- motor skills
- autism
- education
Keywords
- apraxia
- motor planning
- communication
- autism
- Spellers Method
- education
- vision
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Spellers Method, Spellers Method Tampa
More episodes of Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners
- 206. What the IEP Is Not Telling You - A Special Ed Insider Breaks It Down (with Dr. Diana Fannon) · May 19, 2026 · 41 min
- 205. Why the Smartest Brains Are Also the Most Dysregulated | Dr. Andrew Hill · April 30, 2026 · 58 min
- 204. Do Support Groups Actually Work? The Hard Truth About Finding Your People - with Sara Intonato · April 2, 2026 · 43 min
- 203. Your student with Down Syndrome belongs in a mainstream Physics Class · March 11, 2026 · 45 min
- 202. Inflammation, Energy, and Learning: A Functional Medicine Lens with Dr. Kendall Stewart · February 2, 2026 · 41 min
- 201. dIs School Costing Your Child Too Much? A Homeschooling Conversation · January 20, 2026 · 35 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners podcast page.