“Dear investors and board members,

I know that I speak for all of my colleagues in speech-language pathology and special education, as well as for the many parents of children with disabilities we have worked with over the years, in expressing an outrage against the lawsuit that has been filed by Mattel against Super Duper Publications.

I use products from Super Duper, including most of their therapy tools and cards that have the word “SAY” in the title, AND Mattel toys, including “SEE N SAY” toys, in my practice. Most of my colleagues, and many of the parents of children with disabilities I have served, would be able to say the same thing.

Buying a set of FISH & SAY materials to help a late-talking preschooler learn to articulate speech sounds, or FOLD & SAY photocopy books to teach kindergarteners with mental retardation the meaning of prepositions, or SORT & SAY magnets to help a third grader with autism learn to answer questions, did not dissuade me or prevent me from also buying Mattel toys and games for my waiting room, nor for my friends’ children.

Just this afternoon I used a wonderful flip-chart book aptly called SEE IT, SAY IT with a 14 year old girl who has Down Syndrome and a severe speech disorder called verbal apraxia. Using this book, she practiced pronouncing the /m/ and /ah/ sounds. WIth the help of these and other therapy materials, this young lady’s mother can finally hear the gratifying sound of her daughter calling her “Mom.”

Using SEE IT, SAY IT did not hinder this girl from enjoying Mattel High School Musical or Hannah Montana games, the UNO game and View-Master in my office, and any number of other Mattel products in her home and school.

I would urge all investors and board members to put pressure on the Mattel legal team to drop this meaningless and unnecessary lawsuit.

If Mattel continues to pursue legal action against Super Duper, I assure you that word will travel fast from speech and language pathologists and special education teachers, to general education teachers, to school principals and administrators, and support staff at all levels of education from daycare centers to universities; word will travel just as quickly from parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts of children with disabilities, to their friends, neighbors, co-workers, and the managers of the toy stores they patronize.

Consumers will respond and participate in righting a wrong done to a small company whose mission is to make creative, colorful and effective educational materials for those children in our world — you may know some! — who need a little extra help in learning.

Respectfully Submitted,

Deborah L. Bennett, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist

I propose boycotting Mattel and Fisher Price. Our special needs children deserve every opportunity to learn.

Mattel should cease and desist immediately. A battle against Super Duper is a battle against special needs children!!!!!