#aac devices

[zebulontheplanet]

I’m. Still. An. Adult. I’m still an adult! Even when I’m using aac. Even when I’m stimming. Even when I refuse eye contact. I’m still an adult! Stop treating autistic people like they’re children. We aren’t children! Yes, I may have interests that are “childish”, yes I may need more time with things, yes I may need patience. But I’m still an adult! It annoys me so much when I’m babied by those around me. I’m still a person, I’m still a teenager, I’m still a adult.

[disabledstims]

Various non-speaking stims!

GIF 1: A pale hand flipping through a deck of communication cards. They are themed after the medieval. The first card reads "COMMUNICATION CARDS." The second card reads "HELLO!". The third card reads "MY NAME IS" with a banner beneath to fill in for a name.

GIF 2: A pale hand holding a black colored Halloween button pin. Orange text in all caps reads "I MAY NOT SPEAK BUT I'D LOVE A TREAT. THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING ME." The hand flips it over.

GIF 3: A pale hand flipping through pastel colored communication cards. The first card reads "yes please!", the second card reads "maybe", the third card reads "i like that."

GIF 4: A pale hand pressing a button on a AAC device. It is spin.

GIF 5: A pale hand writing on a keyring. It has frogs with varying emotions ranging from angry to sleepy. They write "Hi!" with a black eraser marker.

GIF 6: A pale hand sliding a AAC themed card inside a red felt. It reads "I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY" with a AAC keypad.

GIF 7: A pale hand picking up a black button pin. White text reads "SITUATIONALLY NONSPEAKING". The hand turns it over.

GIF 8: A pale hand holding a black colored Halloween button pin. Orange text in all caps reads "I MAY NOT SPEAK BUT I'D LOVE A TREAT. THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING ME."

GIF 9: A pale hand picking up a black button pin. White text reads "SITUATIONALLY MUTE".

[pixierainbows]

Device Lending Library | WATAP

“Did you know that the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) offers individuals the chance to borrow an assistive technology device to help them decide what device will work best for them before purchasing. WATAP will ship devices anywhere in Washington state for a 21-day borrow period.

To learn more about the program and qualifications visit https://watap.org/loan “

[clownrecess]

Please do not laugh if I misspell something or if my device pronounces a word wrong. I am doing my best. It tends to make me feel self-conscious about using my device, which can make it harder for me to communicate effectively in the future.

I understand that mispronunciations and misspellings can be funny in some contexts, but when it's happening to me, it's not funny at all. It's actually quite embarrassing and it makes me feel like my communication efforts are not being taken seriously. Communication is such an important part of human interaction, and when you have to rely on a device to do it, it can already feel like a barrier. So when people react negatively to something that's already a struggle for me, it can be really discouraging.

I'm not writing this to shame anyone or make anyone feel bad. I just wanted to raise awareness about how these little moments can have a big impact on AAC users.

[lolrentz]

Oh here's my other mouthwashing thought. I keep seeing people getting upset at Curly being depicted using AAC buttons in drawings- but they're not getting upset because he'd have to be put on the floor/at a table to use them and go through lots of pain being handled, or because they'd be extremely painful for him to press, but because they're "dog buttons". AAC buttons and devices are made for disabled people who have trouble speaking or communicating properly. They are not "dog buttons". They were not made for dogs. Just because a lot of people started using them with their dogs and posting videos of them does not make them for dogs. Many abled people have just never seen these types of AAC buttons outside of tiktoks of dogs pressing them and immediately started believing they were made for dogs and calling them dog buttons. They are AAC buttons. They are communication devices for the disabled. Please look into devices and why it would actually be wrong for Curly to use them instead of just calling them something made for dogs and leaving it at that!!

[zebulontheplanet]

Just a reminder that being semiverbal and semispeaking is a constant state. It isn’t something that you just have sometimes or experience once and awhile. I’m always semiverbal. It isn’t something I am or am not some days. It’s always there, I’m always struggling with speech

[pixierainbows]

nwacs.info/aacat-companies

NWACS - AAC / AT Companies

A list of companies that sell products to support communication.

[zebulontheplanet]

Hey AAC users! I’ve seen a lot of people struggling to find out about aac and how to start. Reblog this post with the type of device you have, the case, and program you use. Give a price breakdown if you can! Let’s help aac users and new aac users out.

I’ll go first!

iPad: I think I have an iPad 8. The price can range anywhere from $180 on Amazon (refurbished) to $300 new.

Case: robust foam case. Can be purchased off Amazon, don’t really know because my device is a program device and they provided the case

Program: Proloquo2go $250

I use an old program device that was once my little sisters (she doesn’t use it anymore) everything I’ve put is vague.

Photo of aac device in black case with Proloquo2go below