Quality of life. The ability to speak, hear, and understand language and conversation are central to almost every aspect of daily life. Yet, we often take these skills for granted. And unfortunately, these disorders may go untreated for years - or may never be treated. The message this Better Hearing & Speech Month is: it's important to prioritize identification and treatment - because the ability to communicate takes care.
I have a short list of books that I wish were "required" reading for everyone. Books that powerfully describe what life is like for individuals who are nonverbal. Books that illustrate the power of communication. Books like Petey and Ghost Boy. I now have another to add the the list. In fact, I think Out of My Mind goes straight to the top of the list.
AAC, SLP Book Club, cerebral palsy, communication, presume competence | in books In a word, this book is eccentric.
Asperger's, Autism, SLP Book Club | in books Often times we need to take a step back and first teach an appropriate way to initiate communication and interactions. Teach them how to appropriately enter into an interaction. And often this means changing habits of both the child and caregivers.
AAC, AAC Awareness Month, communication | in AAC This past Saturday was the Northwest Augmentative Communication Society's (NWACS) annual Fall Conference. Every year, NWACS invites a speaker to come present on a topic relevant to working with children (and adults) with complex communication needs. Susan Lewis Stokes was this year's speaker. Her topic: Challenging Behaviors Communicate!
AAC, behavior, communication | in AAC