I am a HUGE advocate for AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). If I had the time and money I would love to go back to be to school to be an SLP. There is something so exciting about giving people a voice! Whether its low tech or high tech, AAC is EXTREMELY important for students both in school and at home. October is AAC Awareness so what better way to celebrate than sharing some of my favorite AAC Advocates!
Megan Stewart from @senseableliteracy
Megan Stewart aia a SLP specializing in AAC, ASD, and literacy for ALL! “I LOVE watching my students learn the power of language through AAC use (low, mid, high tech) and seeing their eyes light up when they are able to share their wants, likes, dislikes, etc for the first time! I am an advocate for literacy for ALL kids – no one is “too” anything to learn to read and write!! Teaching others about the magic of AAC is one of my favorite things to do, parents, teachers, other therapists, colleagues, strangers, basically anyone that will listen!” You can follow Megan on Instagram, Facebook, or on her website!
Kate McLaughlin from @the.aac.coach
Kate is a speech-language pathologist specializing in augmentative communication for children with complex communication needs. She is passionate about supporting children and families on their journey to autonomous communication. She has published research in Communication Disorders Quarterly and the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and holds licensure as a speech-language pathologist in the state of Connecticut. Kate is in private practice in Connecticut providing direct therapy and consultative services for individuals with complex communication needs. She posts on social media as The AAC Coach and is developing an online AAC parent coaching platform. Check out her website for more information!
Mary Katherine from @aacforall
Mary Katherine is a “DIY speech-language pathologist creating AAC ideas for adults, teens, kids, and everyone in between!” She has the most creative ideas for switches and low tech AAC. Mary Katherine makes AAC fun for all her users. A quick glance at her Instagram and you’ll know what I’m talking about. She even has youtube tutorials on how to create some of them and free AAC resources in her TPT store! In addition to sharing her creative ideas, Mary Katherine also makes “jewelry that communicates.” Her beautiful earrings are perfect for AAC users and advocates!
Alma from @aacforyouandme
“I love AAC because it is an inside look at the receptive mind. It helps us paint a better image of what a person actually knows! AAC is vital for people with complex communication needs but it can also be used with those who rely on visual supports. For example, for my bilingual students who need help gauging their English skills, visuals are a great way to help. I love AAC for its broad ability to be used, it is not just iPad apps with vocabulary. AAC can also be signed, using a translator app to communicate, etc etc. It’s also important that we remember that first A of AAC, augment! We are not looking to “replace” verbal speech but we want to aid the skills that the client/student already has.”
Rebecca Taskin from @rebtaskslp
Rebecca is a New York City-based speech pathologist. She also is a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and currently enrolled in a TBVI (Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired) program at Hunter College to enhance her understanding of the complexity of visual processing for children with visual processing challenges (Cortical Visual Impairment) secondary to their complex communication challenges, expectant graduation Dec ‘21. Her private practice primarily works with children ages 6months-25years with complex communication challenges resulting from neurodevelopmental disorders including but not limited to children with rare neurogenetic disorders such as Angelman’s Syndrome, Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, Dandy-Walker Syndrome, Down Syndrome, and other various TBI diagnosis. Check her out on Instagram, Facebook, youtube, and TPT!