My last few sessions with Joey have been quiet, as his AAC device was taken away for repairs over the school system’s winter break. The device was losing power, and appeared to be taking longer and longer to read Joey’s eyes. This slow and unreliable response time was most likely what was causing Joey’s communication regression so it is good that it is getting fixed. These silent three weeks, however, are such a reminder of how important access to words is for Joey.
When I was getting ready to go see Joey on Wednesday, my seven year old daughter, home on winter break, was following me around asking me questions about what I was up to. She met Joey last winter, and was hoping she could come along this trip. I mentioned that his talker was broken and she gasped in horror. “What? Mommy! That’s not fair! That’s how he TALKS!” [Read more…]
Let me introduce you to your new favorite book for reading with a child using an AAC device. 
Joey had such a communicative fall. He made statements and jokes he’d never made before, and truly dove into the new vocabulary words added to his device. We saw so much of him come shining through with how he was accessing his device. In October he averaged 
The last time I worked with Joey he was fairly quiet, and not as engaged as he usually is. He had just worked hard during his in home occupational therapy, and he just seemed tired. I was wondering if he was with me when he scanned the room and then gave me a disapproving look. 
Every time I see Joey these days he seems to have more words on his device. His vocabulary is exploding, and he spends most of his time exploring these new words. During these times it is always hard for me to track his meaning and determine if he is exploring where his words are, trying to communicate a message, or if he is unintentionally hitting the new words while seeking out the old ones. I’ve learned to sit back and listen to him and give meaning to his words when I can.
