Communication is belonging.
Every post I write on communication ultimately exists to encourage and deepen relationships.
When we learned our son would never voice due to his airway anatomy, our explorations naturally led to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), access to systems and tools, language modeling, core vocabulary, parent coaching, communication within health systems, and the importance of autonomy.
In our parent led approach to intervention, communication has not been something we waited for, it is something we provided access to.
Communication transforms families. Communication changes education.
For our non-speaking son, AAC was not seen as a replacement for a lacking ability, but it was the path to revealing ability.
I believe language acquisition through AAC is successful when centered in relationships, immersion, and participation in everyday life.
Read more about communication in our home with a child dependent on AAC.
Earlier this month Tactus Technology released their new Phorm case that can add and remove tactile buttons to the iPad mini's screen. Dr. Craig Ciesla, CEO and co-founder of Tactus stated, "Typing on a flat touchscreen is still a really unnatural user experience. Adding a tactile dimension to an otherwise flat surface changes the way we will interact with all the screens in our lives. This is just the beginning." This month, we are counting on that being true.