We are like every other AAC family.

Despite all the blog posts I've written this month about providing an AAC immersion educational setting for kindergarten at home for our son, we struggle daily. Sometimes we go long stretches of the day without modeling language on Nathaniel's device. There are times we have to search for the device to advert a communication frustration meltdown. Sometimes we leave the device in the car. Under the bed. In the other room. Sometimes we are too tired, too hurried, to doubtful that this will really work.

Like other AAC families, we need constant encouragement to keep on keeping on.

We need simple ideas of incorporating language into our lives that require little set up, little clean up, and no expense.

A few weeks ago, my nieces visited our home for their annual week of "Camp Rankin." We meet their family at the same park, halfway between our homes, each year to pick up and drop off the girls. Visiting a playground only once a year provides amazing insight into the changes in Nathaniel's physical abilities. In 2015, he kept his feet on solid ground. Walking on the uneven park surface carrying his tube feed in a backpack was challenging enough. In 2016, he was comfortable walking up a ramp to the lowest play area. His aunt and cousin were watchful spotters to his emerging climbing skills in 2017. This year it was hard for any of us to keep up.

Vani, a speech therapist from Australia, emailed to ask how I print high quality low tech versions of Nathaniel's talker symbols. Hope this helps explain how I create and use them. Bonus! A free printable of some Speak for Yourself transportation symbols that fit in the Cariboo game, is included at the bottom.

Nathaniel uses the app Speak For Yourself (SFY). The symbol set for Speak for Yourself is Smarty Symbols. We use low tech versions of these symbols to drill our five weekly words, to offer a visual of word combinations, and for Nathaniel's visual schedules. The photo below shows a variety of these uses. This week's words on the the left, the other photos show some visual schedules.

At our house the "Oh-my-goodness-it's-summer" turns into boredom in about 48 hours. Without a schedule and some resemblance of a routine, my children quickly resort to game systems to fill their days.

f you're like this homeschool mom, you're wondering just how summer slipped by so quickly.  I really need to crack down the next couple weeks and to get ready for the new year.

First thing to do every school year is compile a list of subjects and texts for each student. I have used the Course of Study form on Donna Young's website for years. (Thanks Donna for the amazing resources you offer free!)  Compiling this document gives me a chance to do a last minute check on everyone's books and supplies, and also makes a great first page for the Missouri required portfolio of student work.

Three weeks from today we'll take our fifth child to college for his freshman year. We've done this before; all summer I've falsely believed that fact would make this new transition easier. But as I shared coffee with my son this morning and started making the packing list, I felt the familial tug on my heart.  And an occasional lump in my throat. He's leaving. Very soon.

I'm visiting my brother and his family this week.  

A framed print in the guest bathroom welcomes me every visit.  

I've always loved the saying and decided this week to create something I could print and frame once I get home. 

Maybe it will fit in your home too.  Feel free to print the PDF.

Two of our sons have attained the rank of Eagle Scout.  We held our second Eagle Scout Court of Honor last weekend.  I really enjoy planning these special moments of celebration for our family, and decided to put together a collection of ideas of what we've done.  Be patient when downloading the PDF; it is a big file.