263 Tamara Tuckson & Mckenzie Tuckson: Does AAC Replace Their Voice—or Reveal It?

2026-04-24

Hey Friends~ “We never limit how she communicates—we grow with her in how she communicates.” ~Tamara Tuckson In this episode, a mom and daughter share their journey with AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). Many parents feel unsure or even afraid of AAC, but this conversation gently reveals how it can uncover who a child truly is when their body makes speech difficult. You’ll hear real-life communication—including McKenzie voice talking to us with her AAC device—as this family invites us into their world. You will hear the growth, how low tech and high tech are both...

Hey Friends~

“We never limit how she communicates—we grow with her in how she communicates.” ~Tamara Tuckson

In this episode, a mom and daughter share their journey with AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). Many parents feel unsure or even afraid of AAC, but this conversation gently reveals how it can uncover who a child truly is when their body makes speech difficult. You’ll hear real-life communication—including McKenzie voice talking to us with her AAC device—as this family invites us into their world. You will hear the growth, how low tech and high tech are both used - still.

Enjoy this empowering story that is sure to open your mind—and your heart—to new possibilities.

Always cheering you on!

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn: hello@thelanguageofplay.com

WEBSITE: https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/

Have a question or comment? Leave a voice message! https://castfeedback.com/play

PLEASE VOTE!! We are nominated for Women Podcasters Awards!!

This is a VOTER’S CHOICE AWARD.
PLEASE VOTE for THE LANGUAGE OF PLAY in the CATEGORY : LIFESTYLE PODCASTS https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards

ABOUT THE GUEST: Tamara and Mckenzie Tuckson are advocates, two time authors, and the founder of Mission 2 Advocate. Her journey began when her daughter, McKenzie, was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome at age two. What started as fear turned into purpose. Today, McKenzie is a thriving young adult, student leader, varsity cheerleader, and national trailblazer for inclusion—using AAC to advocate for teens with exceptional needs. Together, Tamara and McKenzie share their lived experience to educate, empower, and amplify voices in the disability community, proving that every person belongs and every voice matters.

CONTACT THE GUEST: mission2advocate@gmail.com

Mission2advocate.com

Tamara’s Business on IG; #mission2advocate

Facebook: #mckenziecantalk

IG: #Mckenziespeaks21

YouTube Videos:

https://youtu.be/mv8nSJbml8c?si=0SthwUOlHiEl4-Qs. .https://youtu.be/uZCuurWR2pc?si=OgaTXRDMPh4pCV0G. https://youtu.be/vcqGd6KrwqE?si=wyiLroHEMhWla6pY

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

254 When Communication Is Hard: Childhood Apraxia of Speech CAS & Motor Speech Disorders, part 2

257 When Kids Know More Than They Can Say: Expressive & Receptive Language Delays and DLD, part 4

259 When Communication Is Hard: Autism, ADHD, and Language Processing Differences, part 5

262 When Communication Is Hard: Does the Body Need Support? CP, Low Tone, AAC, part 6