This week, TWT presents Rachel’s interview with Lydia Dawley, the CEO of the Click, Speak, Connect, and co-creator of the NadPen, an amazing stylus device that is easy to grip and use, especially for people with motor challenges. Lydia has mixed cerebral palsy and is a fantastic AAC user - you won’t want to miss her perspective on involving AAC users in decisions, choosing AAC vocabulary, incorporating peers as communication partners, and more!
Before the interview, Rachel and Chris discuss Rachel’s recent “intensive” 2-week coaching & therapy experience with an AAC user and his circle of support. Rachel shares why this intensive approach can be so effective, and some techniques she uses, including using video to document pogress, coaching every other service provider possible, and keeping the excitement and energy that is created during the 2 weeks going into the future. Chris and Rachel also reflect on how aspects of this intensive approach could be applied to working in the schools.
Key ideas this week:
🔑 Involve the AAC users as much as possible with the decision making process, including vocabulary selection. AAC users may want to use slang their peers are using and not just use adult-like vocabulary.
🔑 The most frustrating thing for Lydia is when people don’t wait long enough for her to communicate herself effectively in conversations.
🔑 Incorporate siblings and peers as much as possible to make using the device more fun.
To learn more about Lydia, go clickspeakconnect.com. Also, check out Lydia's Kickstarter (bit.ly/nadpenkickstarter) campaign to help get the NadPen into production! Lydia came up with the NAD Pen because it is thicker and easier for for her to hold, her hand is more secure, it has a wrist strap, and the tip won’t break off like other styluses when she uses it.
Help us develop new content and keep the podcast going strong! Support our podcast at patreon.com/talkingwithtech!
Visit talkingwithtech.org to access previous episodes, resources, and CEU credits that you can earn for listening to TWT episodes!
Yoosun Chung: Honoring an AAC User's Chosen Form of Communication
Chantelle Hutchinson: Supporting Adult AAC Users with Acquired Brain Injuries
Tiffany Joseph (Part 2): The Use of Gestalts in Acquiring Language as a Part-Time AAC User
Tiffany Joseph (Part 1): Educating and Supporting AAC Users as a Part-Time AAC User
Bob Sagoo: Empowering an AAC User as a Parent
Beth Moulam & Joanna Holmes: Recognizing AAC Users as Multimodal Communicators
Daniel O'Connor & Bradley Heaven: Creators of All Access Life, an Adaptive Product Nonprofit
Breea Rosas: Neurodivergent Affirming Practices for School-Based Practitioners
Kelley Coleman - Pushing Back Against an Incorrect AAC Evaluation
Heidi Rabe - Supporting Switch Use for Clients with Complex Physical Needs
Caitlin Armstrong: Writing a Persuasive AAC Initiative Proposal for School District Admins
Rachel Madel & Chris Bugaj: ATIA Recap 2024 (Part 2)
Rachel Madel & Chris Bugaj: ATIA 2024 Recap (Part 1)
Mercy Wolverton: Solving Real-World Problems with 3D Printers
Aaron Marsters: Supporting Assistive Technology for Students on US Military Bases Across Europe
Talking With Tech's 300th Episode/1 Million Downloads Celebration
Meredith Hankins, Morgan Payne, & Susan Lee - Creating a ”Girl Talk” AAC Social Group
Kimberly Zajac: Creating Fun & Interactive Projects That Meet Learning Objectives & IEP Goals
Emma Fischer - Preparing for a New Career in Assistive Technology
Otto Lana: Autistic Advocate, Writer, Actor, and AAC User
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Regenerative Skills
The Meaningful Life with Andrew G. Marshall
The No-Frills Teacher Podcast
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
The Mel Robbins Podcast