This week, we have the privilege of presenting Rachel’s interview with Hannah Foley, a senior at University of Illinois who is pursuing a career in Assistive Technology & AAC. Hannah has cerebral palsy and is an incredible adult AAC user who works as an ambassador for Saltillo!
Before the interview, Rachel & Chris talk about Christine Derse’s article, A Call for Consistency in AAC Picture Systems. Rachel and Chris discuss their agreement that using different symbols sets can be confusing at times, but note it isn’t clear a universal symbol set would lead to better modeling. For example, adults often use labels, rather than pictures, when modeling, and once a motor plan is in place the pictures become less important.
Key ideas this week:
🔑 Initially, Hannah was against using AAC because she felt her dedicated device was unsightly and it made her feel even more different. Working with Matt Baud, she came to see the importance of communication for her independence and started using an iPad.
🔑 Response time is incredibly important when communicating with an AAC user - it is critical that we give enough time to respond and become comfortable with silence.
🔑 People often assume that Hannah is intellectually impaired, can’t go to college, or manage her care independently because she uses AAC. This is, of course, totally incorrect!
We need help from our listeners to keep Talking with Tech going - please support our podcast at patreon.com/talkingwithtech.
Visit bit.ly/twtpod for access to previous episodes, resources, and CEU credits that you can earn for listening to TWT episodes!
Resources
Erik Raj: Apps That Make Learning Language Fun
Chris Ellis: Improving Hearing With the Audio Cardio App
Gemma White: Fostering a Growth Mindset With Core Words
Cara Walton: Action Planning for Anti-Racism and AAC
Brittyn Coleman: How Nutrition Can Affect People with Autism
Brittani Rollen: Author of “Lucas the Lion Loves the Tiny Talker”
Carson Covey: AAC User and Future SLP
Tara Wineinger: Hosting a "Virtual 5k" to Support an AAC Nonprofit
Caitlin Calder: True Confessions of a Parent of an AAC User - Part 2
Teaching with Tech: Double Time Docs
Caitlin Calder: True Confessions of a Parent of an AAC User - Part 1
Teaching with Tech: Smarty Symbols
Mike Hipple, Tami Altschuler, and Sarah Blackstone: USSAAC's Role in Policy Making & Disaster Relief
AAC in the Cloud: AAC & Telepractice
Caroline Musselwhite: Coaching Communication Partners Using Telepractice
An Hour-By-Hour Guide To Implementing AAC At Home
Elena Dukhovny: Current Research on Motor Planning & Paraeducator AAC Coaching
Teaching with Tech - Speech Blubs Speech Therapy App
Christine Tripoli & Ellen Mazel - Assessment & Treatment of Cortical Visual Impairment
Using Robots & Coding to Teach Core Words and Support Peer Collaboration
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Navigating Life After 40
Teaching Learning Leading K-12
Regenerative Skills
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
The Mel Robbins Podcast