#low tech aac

[vixdesl]

[chrome-barkz-aac]

especially on tumblr, when people think of AAC, they only think of high tech, symbol based, and without any assistive technology. it doesn't just start and end with apps! there is so many options <3 (heart). and i think it is really cool that theres so many creative solutions to access communication!

i also think it's important not to limit in our heads, what a certain disability aid looks like, and who uses it and why. in my experience on this website, not many people include spellers, Deaf or blind (or both) AAC users, and AAC users with motor related disabilities (who can't press buttons on a screen), and a lot of other types of AAC users (racialized AAC users are especially left out, or kicked out, no matter what kind of AAC they use).

i truly believe from the bottom of my heart that all AAC users can learn and benefit from each other. i think we need each other. its an ecosystem, not a monoculture.

i hope something good happens to you today! thank you so much for reading :3 (smiley)

also before anyone asks me, YES! the phone and tablet are t4t. they are girlfriends. and they are in love.

ps - i know my handwriting can be hard to read, so please check the alt text if its too confusing!

[anautistic]

AAC is not just high tech, grid based, symbol AAC. It can be ANY communication that is Augmentative, Alternative, (Or Adaptive!) to speech. TTS is one common type of high tech AAC. Writing on a whiteboard is a common type of low tech AAC. Pointing to letters or symbols on a print out with a body part or pointing device is AAC. Blinking to indicate a choice in assisted scanning or to say yes/no is AAC. Texting/PMing/EMailing someone can be AAC. Showing or pointing to objects can be AAC. Gestures can be AAC. I couldn't even list all the ways you could use AAC, there's so much.

It helps to not think of AAC as a set of things and more as a type of communication, one that doesn't necessitate relying on speech.

When someone says "they use AAC" it shouldn't be assumed they mean high tech, symbol based AAC, because that's only one type of AAC that people use.

[pixierainbows]

April 19th: Talk about speech. Are you nonverbal? Do you use AAC? What is it like if you are?

Pixie is nonverbal .

Just to be sure is right understanding : nonverbal mean can not communicate by mouth at all ever . And . Is not ever a choose . Please to not say “ Going nonverbal “ . Is appropriation of word that have very specific meaning and is important to some most vulnerable autism people .

For people what not nonverbal but do struggle to use mouth words sometimes . Some other words have been suggested :

lose words

intermittent speech

speech loss

verbal shutdown

verbal crash

There are other diagnoses relate to difficulty speaking with mouth and these words , like word “ nonverbal “ , also should not be used unless person have that specific disorder . :

selective mutism/situational mutism

aphasia

motor apraxia

Pixie do have and use many different kinds of AAC to communicate .

Right now Pixie most use “ high tech “ , iPad with grid for iPad AAC app by smart box . Pixie also have the matching “ dedicated speech generating device “ Grid Pad . Insurance company got both for Pixie . Them are high tech *symbol based* speech generating devices ( not speaking keyboards , because Pixie not can type or write ) . This is Pixies homepage on grid for iPad .

Pixie also communicate with chosen family with “ Pixie sign “ . Is not actual ASL . Is something else called “ home sign “ , a kind of communicating with hands created by child with no other way of communication . Is usually much faster for Pixie to use Pixie sign and have guardians translate than for Pixie use AAC device to communicate directly . But Pixie also not can communicate as much with Pixie sign . Many times Pixie have to use AAC device because not have enough signs especially for complicated or abstract subjects . But for quick every day things Pixie sign still very important and useful .

Pixie have laminated picture communication cards that Pixie made , with help , for when need to communicate simple things very quickly . Like to Police , First responders like EMTs and Firefighters ,. Things like “ do not need help “ And . How to contact Pixies guardians and caregivers . And . Other things .

Is so very much better than when Pixie could only communicate with stick figure drawings and things like that . But also , Pixie got really good at communicate with stick figures and drawings !

[asexual-amanita]

Shoutout to people who use low tech AAC!

Shoutout to communication card users!

Shoutout to people who use S2C letter boards!

Shoutout to people with PODD books!

Shoutout to picture exchange card users!

Shoutout to communication board users!

I know the conversation on here about AAC is dominated by high tech users. I want you to know that y’all are just as valid as high tech users, and your voices deserve to be heard just as much as everyone else’s.

[semiplural]

We made some secondary AAC for when we can't bring our binder with us. This will go on a lanyard and fits in our pocket or on our keyring. With any luck, it means we'll always have an option on us.

Tossed in the badge template and card sheet as images below the cut if anyone else wants to get some use out of them. Cut out, glue back to back however you'd prefer, laminate, hole punch. Slide cards onto a ring, lanyard end, etc.

All images found on https://aacil.neocities.org/ (except for the cat- his name is Romeo).

AAC Image Library

[germcore]

communication cards is a valid form of communication

[postmanic]

what did you think of using PECS system? what was it like to change to AAC? i’m a new aide to someone transitioning from PECS to AAC and would love to know more so i can better support them. no worries if you don’t want to answer! :)

PECS i remember was hard for me and couldnt use independently only assisted, amount was able to functionally communciate with it was extremely limited so frustrating cause couldnt express my self.

high tech AAC hard at first and am using it combination with other methods to communicate (signs gestures pointing, noises, some words) but can say lots more with it which much more freeing and effective especially in public or with strangers who dont know my noises and gestures yet