I've listened enough. It's time for me to speak, however it may sound. Through an electronic device, my hands, or my mouth. Now it's your time to listen. Are you ready? Neal Katz, Self-advocate A few weeks ago, Ryan, with his fuzzy PJ pants on, galloped into the kitchen with a determined look in his eyes. He approached the drawer that holds his GoTalk device so he could request his …
augmentative and alternative communication
AAC Device Guide
Children with severe speech or language disorders may benefit from an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. With so many different types of AAC devices available it can be confusing. Below is a list that will help you learn more. It is by no means exhaustive but will hopefully provide insight into what is available. Special thanks to Ashley Wortman, a Speech and Hearing student …
12 Commonly-Used Speech Therapy Terms
Confused by some of the terminology you hear from your child's speech language therapist? Thankfully, The Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center breaks down the terminology for us. Take a moment to learn some general terms used by speech language pathologists that will help you during your therapy visit. Expressive language is a broad term that describes how a person communicates their wants …
Autism and Speech Devices: Helping Kids Advance Skills As They Mature
We think this article from Autism Speaks about autism and speech generating devices is so valuable, we thought we'd share it with you. ------ A parent asks, “Our son is 6 years old, minimally verbal and on the spectrum. We’ve seen him make progress with a speech-generating device – a touch screen with pictures that produce single words. How can we use this approach to keep him making …
Using AAC Technology To Create Inclusion in the Classroom
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices help to create inclusion within a classroom. Learn how these devices empower users to initiate communication, rather than just respond to questions. Stephanie Taymuree has witnessed huge advances in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) during her nearly 40 years as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and special educator, …
The Orange Effect Spreads as Foundation Awards $29,000 in Grants to Children with Speech Disorders
CLEVELAND - Oct. 16, 2017 - PRLog -- The Orange Effect Foundation proudly announces that this month it awarded more than $29,000 in grants to children and young adults in need. Following a thorough review process, recipients were awarded grants to pay for speech therapy that will help them overcome Childhood Apraxia of Speech and other debilitating speech disorders, or received funds to purchase …
4 Incredible Reasons Why Your Non-Verbal Child Needs Speech Therapy
Why would a nonverbal person need speech therapy? After all, they can’t talk. Why would they need help with their speech? This is a common misconception that even professional caseworkers have. Yet, with the augmentative and alternative communication available in the field, you are doing your nonverbal child a disservice by not giving them a “voice.” It is imperative that someone who has …
Freeing Joey Summers
Joey Summers, the recent winner of a prestigious award for exemplary Ohio special education students, enjoys using his augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to tell jokes and charm his teacher and therapy team. But communication hasn’t always come easy for this bright young man. It took a caring professional team, parental support, and the right AAC device to open up his …
Using AAC in the Classroom
Stephanie Taymuree has witnessed huge advances in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) during her nearly 40 years as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and special educator, and her implementation of AAC technology in the classroom is unrivaled. But she still finds it thrilling when a student embraces AAC to express a novel thought or idea. "My very best days are those when an AAC …