ABOUT

Rhonda Spellman is an author, teacher, and speaker dedicated to promoting literacy and Autism awareness.

She was first published at 17 and has been “writing ever since.”  She is the president of Artos Press Enterprises.  Artos (originally an acronym that stood for her family members: Andy, Rhonda, Tanner, Oliver and Suki – the cat) was chosen to replace her previous business name, Bound By Faith Publishing, to encompass her autism outreach.

She later learned that Artos stands for ‘Unleavened blessed bread’ in Greek.  Coincidence..? She doesn’t think so.

Rhonda joined Colorado Independent Publishers Association, the largest state-based writer / publisher group in the U.S. in 2003 and served as the Membership Chair from 2004 – 2009. She was a columnist for Autism At Home Series ® for its duration in 2009. Her column: Beyond the Spectrum.

Her first book, When I Was a Little Boy, by Jesus, self-published in 2003, won an EVVY award. Her second book, Fire & Ice, was picked up by Tate Publishing. Her third book, The Journey home From Autism was released on January 1, 2010. So far it has won a 1st place INDIE and an EVVY award.

“My first book was published two months before my first son was diagnosed with autism.  My only connection to Autism was with Dustin Hoffman in Rainman.  The journey that began took us to 18 different doctors who had 18 different answers.  I had an intense – almost feverish – desire to find ‘the truth’ – whatever that was.”

A game she created when he was four taught him to verbalize what he could visualize. It was the first real ‘breakthrough’ after he had been virtually non-verbal since before he was two.  She would like to give this game (now with over 40 versions) to schools and hospitals worldwide, through the partnership with a non-profit organization.

She has been nominated to the “Who’s Who” in several categories and she has spoke all over the United States. With over 10,000 logged hours of research in the field of Autistic Spectrum Disorders, her programs reflect her research and her personal experience with her son. Teaching other children with special abilities became her mission after witnessing children’s reactions to her son’s first book. When they feel like a winner they act like a winner. When they act like a winner other people treat them like a winner. All children deserve to be a award winner.

Since 2003, Rhonda has taught over 7,000 children (in groups of 30 – 300) to write and illustrate a complete 16 page book together. These stories, based on her second children’s book, teach children the value of embracing diversity as well! They all receive an award and two books!

She has plans to publish these stories and turn them into a children’s video series.  The publishing process is begining in 2012 with the first of 64 stories! MANY more will follow A major portion of the proceeds would be used to establish art centers where children can go and become experts in the field(s) of their choice!

Rhonda’s mission: To Reach, Teach and Inspire Those with Special Abilities and the Adults Who Love Them.

Rhonda lives with her husband and two sons near Denver, Colorado.