What does a speech language pathologist (SLP) do? "Tongue Talk" video

Here's a fun music video about what a speech language pathologist (a.k.a. SLP) does--and it's closed captioned! Thanks to MSc SLP students O'Dell, Brown, Chan & Suleman! AAC is mentioned at 2:31. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXhSX6Lut5s

Tongue Talk

www.youtube.com

This video is a finalist in the What the heck is rehab? video contest at the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabiltiation Medicine: http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/rehabmed/videocontest.cfm Submitted by MSc SLP students Christina O'Dell, Candace Brown, Sable Chan and Salima Suleman

Chandima Rajapatirana in the book Sharing Our Wisdom (available from the AutCom bookstore): "The day my mother put me at my brother's computer and asked me to type my name was my true birthday. I lived in an abyss till then. Greatest day of my life was that day." 

Here is a link to a video of Chandima recently. He has come a long way since that first day at the computer. Way to go Chandi (a.k.a. Chammi)! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euz8g7d_q24

Justin Bergers' AAC Month website -- links to over 40 videos on AAC

To learn more about augmentative communication (AAC) methods, you might want to visit Justin Bergers' website for AAC resource links and links to 40 (!) videos about AAC, many showing AAC in action. http://aacmonth.webs.com/

Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer book: I Raise My Eyes to Say Yes

Quote from Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer in the book I Raise My Eyes to Say Yes: "As long as these people considered my brain useless and my facial expressions and sounds meaningless, I was doomed to remain 'voiceless.'"  Fortunately, she gained a means of communication and has shared her remarkable story.  The link below includes quotes from the book.

I Raise My Eyes To Say Yes Home Page

www.iraisemyeyes.com

This is the autobiography of Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer, a woman trapped in a body made functionally useless by cerebral palsy. It is a story of purpose and triumph over her severe disability.

Book by Roy Bedward, writer and artist

Quote from a new book by writer and artist Roy Bedward, entitled Communication Makes or Breaks a Life: This Boy's Life-Saving Typing: "Before I could type, no one knew how much love was in my heart." Lovely collection of prose, poetry, painting. 

http://www.roybedwardenterprises.com/

www.roybedwardenterprises.com

Everyone Communicates website -- Personal Stories

There is much to learn by reading the writings of people who use other methods besides speech to communicate (AAC). Our website has links to writings by over 100 people who use AAC to communicate. We invite you to read and learn and enjoy. 

Everyone Communicates - Main Page

www.everyonecommunicates.org

"As our name indicates, we believe that everyone communicates, in one way or another. We also believe that communication is a basic need in life. When an individual does not have fluent, natural speech, it is urgent that other methods of communication, often called augmentative or alternative communication (AAC), be explored exhaustively.  

Being unable to speak does not mean that an individual does not understand, cannot learn to communicate, or cannot think and reason.  It only means that the person has a barrier to communication.  With access to a variety of methods, and with creative, attentive, and dedicated people providing support, people with communication impairments caused by a wide range of disabilities can work to develop effective communication."  

Click on Personal Stories in the bar at the top to select from stories and writings by AAC Users, Family and Friends, or Facilitators and Professionals.  If you know of other writings to which we might link, please contact me at judybailey@aol.com .  Thank you. 

Poet Sydney Edmond and The Purple Tree and Other Poems

"A Voice of Her Own".  This is a very good article on poet Sydney Edmond, who has published a book of poetry, The Purple Tree and Other Poems, and who types to communicate. http://aweinautism.org/index.php/gallery/poetry/158-poet-sydney-edmond

Poet Sydney Edmond

aweinautism.org

When I read Sydney Edmond's The Purple Tree and Other Poems, I found it to be a real gem! It is lyrical, deep, playful and soul-filled. Here's a quote: "I lingered in her shadow, all wonderful and easy, with languid thoughts upon my mind, torrential past, long gone."

Letterboards and Other Products from Aut 2 Communicate

www.aut2communicate.com

Improved Communication = Improved Outcomes, Disability Is Natural article

Kathy Snow's "Disability Is Natural" newsletter during AAC Month focused on communication.  "Improved Communication = Improved Outcomes: We may need to work very hard to find the most effective communication method
for the person, but the pay-off will be worth the effort!"
http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/newsletters/430-imp-comm

October 13, 2010 - Improved Communication

www.disabilityisnatural.com

The #1 source for new ways of thinking about developmental disability, inclusive education, and Kathie Snow's People First Language.

Article: Facilitated Communication (FC) enables non-verbal people on autism spectrum to communicate by typing

This is a well written and detailed article about facilitated communication training (supported typing).  "FC has been a godsend for many people with autism who were formerly considered unintelligent, and even retarded, and later proved to be not only keenly aware of what is going on, but also smart, articulate, and eloquent in their communication." 

Facilitated Communication (FC) enables non-verbal people on autism spectrum to communicate by typing

www.examiner.com

“Thank you for inviting us today. I utterly happy to be here with you. I am a person with autism.” Chammi Rajapatirana, a 36-year old writer, poet, and advocate in Sri Lanka

Letter to Dear Abby with ideas for interacting with someone who uses a communication device

"Dear Abby: Do you know what a speech-generating device is?..." Six people who use speech generating devices sent Dear Abby an eloquent letter about understanding and interacting with people who communicate using technology. Scroll down to the SECOND letter at the link below, written by Camille, Heather, Joel, John, Nat and Nicole. What a brilliant idea to share this list of seven key points with Dear Abby!  

"Sometimes people are uncomfortable with our unique way of communicating. We'd like to share some ideas to help them understand: . . ." 
  http://www.salemnews.com/lifestyle/x271882437/Dear-Abby-Leaving-college-brings-end-to-sons-parental-subsidies

FaCE Newsletter - First Issue

The first issue of the FaCE Newsletter, Let's FaCE it! Facilitating Communication for Everybody, is available. Check it for information on AAC, the Language Stealers animation, Language Givers campaign, AAC Campaign 2010, the FaCE team and much more. Congratulations Andrew, Gemma, Michael, Jake, and Robert. Well done! Thanks for all the information on your groundbreaking work over the past three years and for the updates on your current projects.   files.me.com