#semispeaking

[weepinggenesis]

i dont like the disabling part of autism being erased by ableists so heres some of the bad parts! ദ്ദി(ᵔᗜᵔ)

i ignore everything and everyone if im doing something, even emergencies!

i get frustrated very easily and throw things!

one unmet expectation can send me into a shutdown. if even more happens (which is common) it turns into a meltdown!

i push people and yell when i have meltdowns! i hit myself! i run away!

i cant have my house keys at night because nobody would be awake to catch me if i elope!

i need someone to walk me over every single step for certain tasks!

i cant speak in full sentences like you see here and i take a long time to type them out!

in school i couldnt do any of my assignments because they werent related to my special interest! i needed them modified.

i cant wash dishes by hand but i cant stand dishes that arent squeaky clean (as in, literally squeaks)

im very sensitive to temperature, but can only tell that its upsetting me when im already super super angry!

i cant handle finances on my own!

i cant remember how long ago things were so i need everything to be written down and set on a clock! even eating!

i need someone to give me food so i dont get malnutritioned!

i cant tell directions and get easily disoriented, so even if i have a map i might get lost!

i elope without my walker which means i end up in a lot of pain after!

i cant tell time correctly so i end up super early or super late!

i need my mom to wash my hair for me!

i need picture guides so i dont get overwhelmed by basic things like showering and getting dressed!

[theonestopshop]

AACPUNK

AACpunk is a movement that challenges ableism and promotes the acceptance and inclusion of all forms of communication. It stands for the inclusion of individuals who rely on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), including nonverbal individuals, neurodivergent people, and those with various communication challenges, whether temporary or permanent. It works to break down barriers such as prohibitive costs, restrictive protocols, and social stigma, ensuring that all individuals have equal access to AAC tools.

Flag meaning

The top blue is representing communication in all its forms

The red is for breaking of barriers, stereotypes and ableism

The light tan-brown for neurodivergence

The gray for self-determination

And the cobalt for free access

Flags by @kpopwerewolf

Person with AAC symbol by @blackholemojis

ALT FLAG

ALT FLAG 2

Core Beliefs of AACpunk:

• Communication is a right, not a privilege. No one should be denied access to AAC tools of any kind.

• All communication is valid. Whether someone uses text-to-speech devices, symbol boards, writing, gestures, or any other form of AAC, their voice matters.

• Rejecting ableism in communication. Society often devalues nonverbal and AAC users, treating them as lesser. AACpunk stands against this by demanding equal treatment and respect.

• Breaking barriers to AAC access. Many AAC users struggle to get the tools they need due to cost, medical gatekeeping, or stigma. AACpunk fights for free and open access to communication tools.

• Neurodivergent and disability pride. AACpunk is inherently tied to neurodivergent and disabled liberation, embracing identity without the need for “fixing” or forced conformity to verbal speech norms.

AACpunk is inherently supportive of:

• All individuals with verbal communication challenges, no matter how they express themselves.

• No-tech, low-tech, and high-tech AAC users.

• Individuals who are neurodivergent, disabled, and who choose AAC as their primary means of communication.

• Self-determination in communication choices, without societal pressure to conform to verbal norms.

• Accessible education, workplaces, and social spaces for all individuals, regardless of communication style.

• The ability to communicate anything, even content deemed controversial or inappropriate, including through symbol-based AAC.

• Free access to AAC tools, ensuring that economic barriers do not prevent communication.

AACpunk is inherently against:

• Speech supremacy and verbalism, the belief that spoken language is superior.

• Medical and educational systems that gatekeep access to AAC, preventing people from receiving the tools they need.

• Forced speech therapies and practices that demand conformity to verbal communication norms.

• The infantilization of AAC users, treating them as less than or incapable of making their own choices.

• The exclusion of AAC users from conversations about accessibility, rights, and inclusion.

• Dehumanizing attitudes toward nonverbal individuals and those who use AAC.

[ieatratsyummy]

Stop acting out stutters. Stop acting out speech impediments.

You may think it's funny, you may think it adds another layer to your joke, but it doesn't.

People need to realize speech impediments ARE DISABILITIES. If you are mimicking someone with a speech impediment, you are being ableist.

[maes-aac]

Using my AAC out right now in public is making me continue to realize that I truly do not have to justify myself, my use of AAC, or perform verbally in any kind of way for anyone. I don't have to explain to anyone that I can still speak but prefer not to, I don't have to explain the reasons for why speech is difficult for me. I don't have to do anything but just stay true to how I want to be, and to continue to do what helps me

[t0rt1-4ng3l]

here’s my newest updated communication card phrase list if anyone wants to make some and doesn’t know what to phrases to use

“my communication cards “

important info 

i’m overstimulated

 i don’t feel well

i need to use the bathroom 

that’s cool 

yes

no 

i don’t know 

stop 

i’m sorry

thank you

i love you 

i need a comfort item

 i need help 

i want to be alone 

please stay with me 

i can’t talk right now 

i need water 

i need to eat

 please ask yes/no questions

can you explain? 

don’t touch me 

can i have a hug? 

i don’t want to leave 

i want to leave

[cisstupid]

AAC user tips!

puppy will cover diy symbol based card and board aac as well as high tech aac! is free for anyone to take inspo or advice from! if have more questions pls ask! if anyone want reformat in easier to read way, please do! but pls credit or just add in rbs

under cut bcuz long!

There's no wrong way to use AAC! anyone can! as semispeaking part time AAC user, AAC is for everyone!!! now onto the tips....

If want symbol based aac but have no way to get it, consider talking in emojis over text! or if irl, just using expressions! if want text-based, write everything or type and then show other person. btw, discord has /TTS command so you can type and it read what you typed out loud!!

DIY AAC cards: strat 1

Need:

paper

scissors

writing instrument (pen pencil crayon etc)

clear tape

write or draw what u want card to be, cut it out, and cover back and front in clear tape fully. trim edges off and you have card! not fully water safe tho be careful! and make sure pen ink is dry before stickying it! if have hole puncher and key ring, can put them on ring! other option is in envelope or pencil case

AAC card strat 2

Need:

paper

printer w/ ink

OPTIONAL device w/ art program or Internet

lamination machine (cold or hot) w/ sheets

scissors

This how puppy makes cards! design card with art program , or internet site like canva, or get card design online - print out on paper and put into laminator, then cut out! can do same thing with holepunch as other cards!

if made cards with strat 1 can use laminator on them, be careful with hot ones might melt crayon? or if made with strat 2 can put tape on to secure if not have laminator! remember cards can be double sided to not waste paper!

Board AAC strat 1

need:

thing to write/draw/put stuff on

thing to write/draw with OR premaade words/pictures

glue OR sticky velcro dots (tape not work very well)

I think u get it ... take board made of anything, make basically aac cards and stick them on OR draw directly into board! here how puppy does it:

take thing like cardboard from box or smt, draw grid on it, make AAC cards, take sticky velcro dots and line up with squares on board. can add/remove words or pictures at will, just have big bag of words!

if colorcode can make categories of words for easier to find! OR have multiple boards full of different words, and a blank board to make sentence on (or no blank board and just point to words on dif boards!)

Board AAC strat 2

Need:

magnet board w magnets

aac cards

think u understand this too :P just have dif cards that stick to board, if dry erase board can draw the pictures/write on it or circle cards. tbh not best strat but IS one of them!

Text-based AAC

lots of free text AAC! puppy know of apps like speech assistant, things like TTS(text to speech) (like on discord :p) - can also do low-tech and just write what want say on thing like paper or dry erase board or chalkboard, texting on notes app or discord and then showing someone irl OR just texting them normal even if they in the room/in front of you. if you has high tech aac device / proper aac app, plenty offer keyboards you type on!

Symbol-Based hi tech AAC

This where it get tricky. find much better solutions on other posts, but puppy try paws best.

Not many (good) free symbol AAC apps. most are subscription/pay to access. best for beginner is probly proloquo, $12 a month (ish?), has keyboard, word search function, lots of settings and voices, is what puppy uses rn! but many others Not subscription (or at least not fully...) , heard Weavechat is good!

Many aac not run very good on phone, and more not made for devices like computer/laptop/pc. best option for aac is ipad or tablet because many apps on iOS or android. proloquo for example only on iOS. can get good refurbished ipad for less than $300 on sites like amazon or ebay and are guaranteed to work good! best to get ipad still getting updates btw - absolutely do not need newest model, puppys ipad is from like 2020 and still get updates, got for LESS than 200! can even draw on it! - which also good for aac!

puppy hope this post helped!! if any questions or anything to add pls inbox/dms/add on!!

[aacalienz]

It really annoys me when people tell me I type fast when I’m using my communication device. Or that I’m really good at using it. They mean well but it feels very patronizing. Part of me wants to say that they talk really well. I have to type really fast if I don’t want to be constantly skipped over in conversations especially in groups. I know some people aren’t able to be as fast as me regardless of how hard they try. But it still pisses me off that non disabled people create situations where I have to type super fast to be heard and then patronize me when I do sometimes manage to meet the requirements for contributing that were always meant to exclude me, intentionally or not.

[frog-sorta-speaks]

Frog is wish. there was better way to explain people that "have some mouth word" and "can do functional communicate" are not the same thing for so many semiverbal people (or other people with word issue).

Like- Frog was dinner other day, Frog brother was talk about class brother in that Frog in before. He ask Frog if dress fancy for do present was part of normal present point, or if did get extra point for do. All Frog is can say is "points". Need Frog mom to tell brother Frog did mean normal point, not extra point. If Frog mom no there, Frog no able answer question, even though Frog have word. Need Frog mom translate lot.

Or, other example, is Frog have word pattern that can say. When Frog brother come tell Frog is dinner, Frog is say "coming". No is because that what Frog is think, only because that part of routine. Is pattern. Frog mouth say that with no think. If need time get ready no eat right now, say "coming". If feel sick no want eat, say "coming". No can communicate what actual think, only what pattern is.

Similar, when Frog teacher say hello to Frog, Frog say "morning!". Is pattern, not Frog try speak. Happen no matter time is. There lot example of other word pattern like this.

Is more easy than have no mouth word. Frog mom is know that Frog hear is time dinner, even if no know if Frog is come to table. Frog teacher no get mad at Frog "be rude" and no reply, even if wrong time day.

Still, Frog wish people did understand. Yes, Frog have some mouth word. But that no mean Frog is get say what want. Have community online, and have friend who try understand, but. Is lonely.