New TV Sitcom Features Boy with Communication Disorder

CRG’s speech-language therapist and Assistive Technology specialist, Beth Waite-Lafever, recently shared some exciting news about the role of network television to educate society about children with communication disorders. Next Wednesday (September 21st), watch the premier of a new ABC sitcom called “Speechless.” It is a family comedy featuring a middle school boy with cerebral palsy (CP) who is nonverbal. Micah Fowler, the teenage actor who plays the character, J.J., has CP himself. He uses a low-tech system to communicate. The creator has a sister with CP and one of the head writers has a son with Pitt Hopkins disorder. As Beth said, “Let’s hope for some ‘edutainment’ and at least shreds of reality about those who are nonverbal.”