Speakup Blog - page 2
firsthand aac perspectives
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*Views and opinions expressed by authors of SpeakUp! blogs are their own and do not reflect official views and opinions of USSAAC.
Yes, I still have behaviors but it isn't the same as when I was little.
Mike Hipple shares his personal experiences as a person who uses AAC on how he has communicated with behaviors throughout his life.
To the Future and Beyond: Can Telepractice be an Effective Treatment Tool for People Who Use AAC?
By Meggin Nunamaker Introduction It is said, "Necessity is the mother of invention." In this case, the global covid pandemic made "no contact" restrictions necessary, which was the catalyst for…
“I Want to Sound Like a REAL Person!”: A Woman's Discovery of Shortcomings of AAC Devices
I use AAC; I have a virtual keyboard on my laptop screen that I mouse-click letters to “type” a message. I also use a text to speech app on my laptop. To a person who has trouble speaking, or can’t speak at all, AAC devices can feel like their salvation. The voice output...
Higher tech isn't always better tech
Greg offers a unique perspective that higher tech isn't always better tech! He values reliability, having a face-to-face conversation with a partner that isn't blocked by a screen, and not having to rely on materials in his communication system. As there are more and more...
AAC Awareness Spotlight: AAC & Employment
USSAAC's Vice-President for People Who Uses AAC & Families, Dr. Tracy Rackensberger, explains why awareness for both AAC and the employment for People with disabilities is so important. This video was created for the University of Georgia, Institute on Human Development and...
Behavior and AAC
Stop me if you have read or heard this before from a co-worker or a family member: This child has too many challenging behaviors to use a communication device. They won't understand the device at all. They will break it or kick it. End of discussion, right? Hell no!
Telling my Story in Boston
Todd Hutchinson posing to have his picture taken after his lecture at ASHA.
Today we are honored to have the 2018 Edwin and Esther Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecture recipient, Todd Hutchinson, share his personal experience about preparing for this momentous speech. Todd spoke at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention this...
“Inspire, Don't Require”: How Partner-Augmented Input Taught my Son the Power of Communication
Bolin, dressed in graduation robes and hood, and her fiancé, Bryan Peterson, smile and pose outside with her son, Finnegan Bolin, a curly-haired pre-teen seated in a wheelchair with an adaptive pole holding his communication device.
Today we are privileged to share post guest-authored by a new speech-language pathologist and parent of a child who uses AAC, Brianne Bolin. She shares her firsthand AAC perspective on how lessons learned in graduate school have had a positive impact on her own family...
Hey, Is There an App for That?
Michael Williams peering over his light-tech alphabet board.
We are honored to have today’s guest author share his wisdom and years of experience with SpeakUP readers. Michael Williams has been President of USSAAC, a member of the ISAAC Board of Directors, and a participant, collaborator, and partner in several AAC research and...
Words are Power
Maya and her brother, Will, chatting on a comfy chair using AAC.
AAC Awareness Month continues and, as always, we strive to share posts from all AAC stakeholders, including people who use AAC and their families. Today we are thrilled to welcome a parent, SLP, and blogger extraordinaire, Dana Nieder, to share her firsthand perspective...
