This week, we have the privilege of presenting Rachel’s interview with Hannah Foley, a senior at University of Illinois who is pursuing a career in Assistive Technology & AAC. Hannah has cerebral palsy and is an incredible adult AAC user who works as an ambassador for Saltillo!
Before the interview, Rachel & Chris talk about Christine Derse’s article, A Call for Consistency in AAC Picture Systems. Rachel and Chris discuss their agreement that using different symbols sets can be confusing at times, but note it isn’t clear a universal symbol set would lead to better modeling. For example, adults often use labels, rather than pictures, when modeling, and once a motor plan is in place the pictures become less important.
Key ideas this week:
🔑 Initially, Hannah was against using AAC because she felt her dedicated device was unsightly and it made her feel even more different. Working with Matt Baud, she came to see the importance of communication for her independence and started using an iPad.
🔑 Response time is incredibly important when communicating with an AAC user - it is critical that we give enough time to respond and become comfortable with silence.
🔑 People often assume that Hannah is intellectually impaired, can’t go to college, or manage her care independently because she uses AAC. This is, of course, totally incorrect!
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Resources
Marnina Ellis & Marisa Portanova: Empowering Communication & Collaboration at Blythedale Children's Hospital
Amy Mayer, Judy Schoonover, Remi Moran, & Tiffany Zaugg: Small Talks VIII
Carole Zangari, Tabi Jones-Wohleber, Rachel Langley, & Michaela Ball: The "Stepping Into AAC" Project
Recast: Rachel Dorsey: Taking a Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach to Therapy
Recast: Rebecca Moles: Preventing Abuse and Neglect With AAC
Recast: Talking with Tech Roundtable: Early Intervention & AAC
Recast: Kathy Howery: Understanding the Lived Experiences of AAC Users
Caroline Woeber: Supporting AAC Users with Angelman Syndrome
Benjamin Gibbs: Interviewing Chris Bugaj for a Master's AT Program
Amy Mayer: Engaging Students and Driving Inclusivity with EdTech Tools
Karina Carter & Nicole Young: Teaching Language to AAC Users with Horses
Elisa Wern - The Importance of Including OTs During AAC Consideration & Implementation
Fairfax County Public Schools AT Team: Celebrating the Life of AAC Specialist Jeff Powers
Yoosun Chung: Honoring an AAC User's Chosen Form of Communication
Chantelle Hutchinson: Supporting Adult AAC Users with Acquired Brain Injuries
Tiffany Joseph (Part 2): The Use of Gestalts in Acquiring Language as a Part-Time AAC User
Tiffany Joseph (Part 1): Educating and Supporting AAC Users as a Part-Time AAC User
Bob Sagoo: Empowering an AAC User as a Parent
Beth Moulam & Joanna Holmes: Recognizing AAC Users as Multimodal Communicators
Daniel O'Connor & Bradley Heaven: Creators of All Access Life, an Adaptive Product Nonprofit
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