Hold My Words
Member Area is …
The Hold My Words Member Area is for families, educators, and speech-language pathologists who want to learn more about how we implement AAC, develop literacy, and build meaningful participation into our life at home.
The resources grow from more than a decade of learning alongside my son, Nathaniel. They are a practical extension of the three interconnected pillars that shape all my work: Communication, Literacy, and Foundations.
The Member Area is also becoming the primary home for much of my new writing. Here, I will share more deeply about Nathaniel’s evolving communication journey, teaching an AAC user to read and write, family-centered intervention, educational decision-making, advocacy, and the experiences that continue to shape my work. New material will be added over time without a fixed publication schedule.
What Is Available Now?
The #TalkingAAC 2019
Keynote Address
Members will have access to a 50-minute keynote address first presented at the #TalkingAAC 2019 conference. This presentation captures an important point in our journey and in the development of the ideas that continue to guide my work today.
GrAACe Filled AAC at Home
This five-part video series shares some of the most important lessons we have learned as an AAC family. Each episode includes a downloadable discussion guide designed for families, educators, and speech-language pathologists.
Click on the picture to preview Episode 1 discussion guide.
AAC Modeling Guides
The Member Area includes monthly guides pairing Project Core Universal Core words with familiar and unusual holidays. Each day features:
A simple 10–15 minute activity using common household materials
Suggested AAC models ranging from one to five words
Links to related videos, printable materials, and resources
The activities and language-modeling ideas can be reused in any year.
Click on the picture to preview January’s Modeling Guide.
Literacy and AAC
Members will also find writing about teaching an AAC user to read and write. These pieces connect research-based literacy instruction with examples from my work with Nathaniel. Although our learning takes place at home, the principles and strategies transfer readily to classroom and clinical settings. The blog posts of the member area provide access to multiple downloads and printable resources not available elsewhere on my website.
Membership fees are not refundable.
Canceling will discontinue access to the membership content immediately.
Joining and canceling immediately will not provide a refund.
Membership fee is nonrefundable.