Based in Tampa, FL the Spellers Center-Tampa (formerly Interplay Therapy Center) is a robust learning center where nonspeakers come to learn the Spellers Method as well as participate in group lessons & social events.
Foundational Expertise
Spellers Center Tampa was founded by Dana Johnson, an occupational therapist who believes that those with nonspeaking autism are underestimated and misunderstood. She is an expert in apraxia/dyspraxia and understands the importance of building intentional motor skills for both communication and daily living.
Working Together
Dana and her team value the insight and expertise of the parents and caregivers and will work together with you to better understand your speller and what they need to reach their individual goals. All of our practitioners and clinicians are Spellers Method trained and are ready to support your family. Are you ready? Let’s go!
Tampa Services
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• If you are local to the Tampa location, we recommend scheduling spelling for communication sessions on a weekly basis.
• For families that are semi-local, the option also exists to schedule bi-weekly or monthly recurring sessions.
• The two greatest contributing factors to how long it takes for an individual to master spelling is the complexity of their sensory-motor profile and the resources (time, energy, finances) to consistently come to sessions and practice at home.
We firmly believe that every student can do this with time, that timeline just may look different depending on your family’s specific situation, and that’s ok! Even if this is not the time or season where your family is able to come weekly or practice consistently, we are here to support you through your entire journey.
That said, our goal with scheduling is to maximize the support we can give you and your child as practitioners without compromising or exhausting your resources.
Likewise, you don’t have to know the end from the beginning. If you’re unsure about how you’d like to schedule, give us a call or schedule a single session—we’d be happy to chat with you or make a recommendation after seeing your child for that initial session.
Spelling sessions run for a total of 50 minutes, during which your practitioner will work with your child through an engaging, age-appropriate lesson working on purposeful motor skills, cognitive goals, improved regulation and overall stamina for sustained communication. In addition, the practitioner will also coach you as a parent/caregiver to be a communication regulation partner. Get ready to finally hear your child’s voice!
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If traveling from outside Tampa, you may be interested in scheduling a visiting client intensive at our clinic. This typically consists of two sessions per day for two to four consecutive days. Each session is 45 minutes long and we schedule at least an hour break between your two sessions.
During your intensive, you can expect your practitioner to complete a thorough intake & assessment that integrates your child’s individual differences along with his/her current sensory & motor skills. This allows them to determine which boards to use and how to begin or progress further in spelling.
In addition, throughout the sessions your practitioner will coach you as a communication regulation partner for your child. Our goal is for you to leave at the end of the intensive with new insight into your child’s profile and feeling empowered to continue practicing spelling lessons with confidence at home.
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SC Tampa has highly skilled occupational therapists that will support your spellers intentional motor skills for everyday life! Everything from daily motor tasks to self-regulation strategies, our therapists address areas of need related to activities of daily living (self-care skills, chores around the house, etc.), recreation, fitness, school and job related skills.
If you are visiting from out of town we are happy to set up intentional movement assessments around your spelling sessions so you can leave feeling confident about your home program and strategies for both communication and daily life.
Tampa Spellers Method Practitioners
Dana Johnson
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Dana is the co-creator of the Spellers Method, owner of Spellers Center- Tampa (formerly Interplay Therapy), & Founder of Invictus Academy Tampa Bay. Dana’s career has canvassed multiple settings including the public school system, private clinics, and her own private practice focusing on autism, apraxia/dyspraxia, and sensory-motor differences. As a Spellers Method practitioner, as well as an OT, Dana focuses her work today on teaching purposeful motor skills to treat apraxia and help nonspeakers communicate.
Melanie Conway
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Melanie is an Occupational Therapist at Interplay Therapy Center. She has a Doctorate Degree in Occupational Therapy and a Minor in Psychology. She specializes in supporting purposeful movement with the client and students that she works with. Through integrating everyday functional movements, she creates a stronger sense of brain and body awareness. Melanie also works out at a CrossFit gym with the non-speaking community to help improve overall motor planning and coordination. She believes that all individuals she works with can and want to learn and should therefore be given the opportunity to participate in any athletic or motor activity they choose. She is also an Spellers Method Practitioner helping individuals and their families build and strengthen their spelling skills. She is very passionate about what she does and is thrilled to be a part of such an incredible community!
Jasmine Forbes
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Jasmine Forbes is an Occupational Therapist at Interplay Therapy Center and Invictus Academy Tampa Bay. Jasmine earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Toronto in Canada. In 2018 she moved to Southern California where she worked at a pediatric occupational therapy clinic. Here she gained experience in a variety of settings including clinic, home, and schools. Jasmine moved to Florida in 2020 and began working at Invictus Academy Tampa Bay where she works with students with motor and sensory differences. It was here that she was first introduced to spelling for communication as a reliable method for nonspeakers and unreliable speakers. Jasmine is now a Spellers Method Practitioner and is excited to work with new and experienced spellers as well as incorporate her skills as a practitioner into her occupational therapy practice.
Jasmine has always enjoyed working with the neurodiverse population and is excited to help clients reach their motor and communication goals!
Jodee Brenzo
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JoDee Brenzo is a high school teacher at Invictus Academy of Tampa Bay. She graduated from University of South Florida with a Bachelors in Biomedical Science. She is a Spellers Method Practitioner. In her free time she loves reading, staying active and being with her students.
Sarah Passarella
Contact Us
General Spellers Information
Ask us about the Spellers Method, our training programs, Spellers Connect Conference, Spellers University, Spellers Freedom Foundation, and the Spellers Center network.
admin@spellers.com
855-326-3727
Monday through Friday
9 am to 5 pm PT
Spellers Center San Diego
Ask us about the Spellers Method, clinic services,
availability, and scheduling.
sandiego@spellers.com
760-536-3896
Monday through Friday
9 am to 5 pm PT
4055 Oceanside Blvd Ste B,
Oceanside CA 92056
Spellers Center Tampa
Ask us about the Spellers Method, clinic services,
availability, and scheduling.
tampa@spellers.com
727-275-1155
Monday through Friday
9 am to 5 pm ET
1816 Health Care Dr
Trinity, FL 34655