[video description: video titled "interviewing AAC users / part 1
throughout the video, two AAC users are recorded. one on a tablet, and the other on a laptop. they both use symbol based AAC, and the perspective changes depending on who's speaking.
orpheus: Introduce yourself!
alex: My name is Alex. My pronouns are they he it. I'm a part time AAC user
orpheus: What AAC do you use?
alex: I use many types of AAC. I prefer to use AAC on my iPad, but also use it on my laptop and phone. I mainly use the app TD snap but I also use avaz and occasionally weave chat and asterisks grid. I use low tech and high tech. I use low tech at school, and high tech when I can. I use my podd binder for low tech, or letterboards or other low tech boards. I am planning on making a pecs binder. I use symbol based AAC.
orpheus: How long have you been using AAC? For what reason did you start?
alex: I've been using AAC for a year. I started because I was interested and having trouble speaking when regressed or in certain social situations. I am also demiverbal.
orpheus: Do you have specific disorders or disabilities that impact your ability to communicate verbally?
alex: I have a physical disability, tics, and I suspect I have autism but am not diagnosed. I am also a system which has an effect on my verbality. As I have more trouble with physical activity because of my physical disability, speaking also became harder
orpheus: How do people usually respond to you using AAC?
alex: People respond differently to me using AAC. My friend Zepherite, is very very supportive. Other people act odd, or think I'm using it because I want to be a speech therapist or something, not because I have trouble speaking. Which they wouldn't believe anyway because I had no trouble when I was little.
orpheus: What are things you like that people do when you use AAC? Things you dislike?
alex: I like when people look at me when I'm using AAC, and treat me like any other person. I don't like when people baby me. I am just as capable, smart, and independent as anyone else. I just need help speaking.
orpheus: What are some common misconceptions about AAC users that you've noticed?
alex: Some common misconceptions are that AAC users are not as smart as others, or are innocent, precious people who are like babies. Or that they cannot swear or talk about sex or drugs. Specifically because of the symbols, and another big misconception is that you have to be nonverbal to use AAC or a certain age.
orpheus: If you could change or improve anything about your AAC, what would it be?
alex: I would make it free, of course. I run on free trials typically, haha. I really like TD snap but it's so expensive. I would also like better voices, because they glitch and can sound really robotic.
orpheus: Has AAC impacted your relationships with others? How so?
alex: It has positively impacted my relationship with my friend zepherite. If you haven't figured that's not their real name, just a nickname. I felt like I could trust them more, If I could trust them with this. Other people have acted a bit odd, but I haven't used it around many people because I'm too nervous.
orpheus: Has AAC impacted your relationship with yourself?
alex: I mean, kind of. At first I felt like I didn't really need this because I can speak verbally and kind of put myself down. Eventually, I started getting over that and since then AAC has helped become closer with myself.
orpheus: What advice would you give to someone who is new to AAC?
alex: I would tell them not to give up and that it take time to become fluent when using aac, and don't be afraid using it around other people, I promise no one will get mad.
orpheus: What would you say to parents, educators, or SLPs who are learning about AAC?
alex: I would tell them the best people to learn from are AAC users. If they have a child or person using AAC, or are teaching them to use it, do not limit the vocabulary! If you can say it with your mouth why not your device! Also if a child is hitting a button multiple times, don't remove it.
orpheus: What does being an AAC user mean to you personally?
alex: Being an AAC user is a part of me, what it means to me personally is hard to explain. It means I'm quote "different", sure but to me it also means I'm able to do things differently and sometimes, better. I can plan out speeches and conversations, sore throats don't stop me, I can solve math problems on my AAC because I have a white board! I can solve problems visually, because my brain gets fuzzy. Basically, AAC is my brain and it means as much to me as other people's brains do to them.
orpheus: Is there anything about your experience that doesn't get talked about enough?
alex: I guess the fact that people under 18 find out about AAC and start using it without their parents or ess el [unintelligible] educators. Or how many AAC users parents don't support or believe them and say "but you didn't have any problems when you were younger!", even though there are many factors can cause speech issues later in life.
orpheus: Do you know of any resources that AAC users, and their supports should know about?
alex: Things like discord servers or social media groups for AAC users are very helpful, but more specific recourses or assistive wear, with pee dee effs (PDFs) for low tech boards, AAC language lab and satillo also have the same things, TD snap also has low tech boards and recourses on their website. The communication bill of rights is also very helpful.
orpheus: What do you hope people take away from hearing your story?
alex: That AAC users are people, we are not babies. Do not baby us unless you got specific permission, or are actually talking to a toddler or baby. Also that every AAC user is different. We each have different needs, and AAC's that our fit to our needs.
orpheus: Is there anything else you want to share?
alex: I am very happy to be part of this interview. Another thing I'd like to say is I hope this helps people learn about AAC, because the more people know, the more people with out voices can finally get them.
/end transcript & description]
