We are a group of people who are either AAC users or have a family member who uses AAC. We feel it is important that professionals involved in AAC listen to the growing networks (both online and in-person) of AAC users and their families who are taking AAC into their own hands and coming up with creative solutions to their own communication needs.
We want to help professionals in schools and other settings understand the importance of AAC users having good-quality AAC available at all times which assists the user to say what is actually important to them. This means the person is more important than the curriculum. If a person can express their views, opinions, preferences and needs (physical, sensory, social, emotional) using AAC and have those needs met; this will increase their motivation and engagement with learning and reduce what professionals call 'challenging behaviour'. It therefore makes sense for AAC to engage with the person before the curriculum.
The Bloggers
Bouncy Pony: Hi, I'm 25 and well known for my enthusiasm and always being happy so I'll be blogging as 'Bouncy Pony'! I only started using AAC when I was 21, I got Proloquo2go as a birthday present. What better than a 'voice'? It wasn't so easy to transition from PECS to a device as I imagined. Along with the excitement came fear, I had never had a say or spoken to people outside ofmy home before and I didn't know where to start! I was completely overwhelmed for 2 years and barely used it, just to ask my mom for things to get me used to it. But then I got a different carer and things were so hard not being able to express what I wanted and needed because he didn't know me as well and I thought to myself I have got to do something about this! So I went to my iPad and started slowly setting it up more for me to use out in public first time ever!! This was terrifying but I pushed through the fear and then bought a Bluetooth speaker so I could be heard outside!! Luckily by this time my old carer came back and we both plunged into using my device in all areas of life until it became the normal thing to wear each day just like part of a uniform. I packed my bag each day, picked up my 'voice' and off we went for a day out. I can now use my device pretty much anywhere I need and want to and am happy to talk to people now. Knowing I can talk back to them makes everything so much easier! Well that's a brief intro into me, 'Bouncy Pony' an AAC user with autism, selective mutism and many health conditions! Bye for now!
EveryLittleHelps: Hi I am 22 and recently started out on my Proloquo journey. At first I was overwhelmed but after stripping it back to the basics I'm slowly getting used to it but have severe anxiety and can just count how many times I've used it in 6 months on one hand. I continue on this journey and you will all be coming along with me as I get the confidence to use it more. I suffer severe selective mutism, SPD, autistic traits and many more conditions.
Twinkle: I blog as 'Twinkle', mum to a beautiful, funny and cheeky teenager who I call 'Blueberry' who also happens to have autism, severe learning disabilities and selective mutism. To help my daughter in communication with the world outside her family we use Proloquo2Go.
Helen: I'm the parent of a young adult with autism, severe learning difficulties and limited verbal language. We have been lucky to have used different AAC for years and have recently moved to using Proloquo2Go on the iPad. As my son is at a specialist college we have multiple staff using his device with him and I manage version control. We also use PECS and Makaton. I strongly believe that we learn through modelling and all should use the AAC at all times.
Lauran: I am a parent to two children with autism (aged 6 and 5), one of whom uses Proloquo2Go on an iPad mini (as well as some speech, PECS and embodied communication). I prefer Widgit symbols to the built-in Proloquo2Go symbol set (SymbolStix) so I use them when creating buttons. I also happen to be a former teacher now doing a PhD on the communication of preverbal children with autism, but my contributions to this blog are family-centred.
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