Tech to Talk Speech Therapy

10/05/2022

We're excited to follow along Izzy's journey in being able to access mainstream reading books, just like her peers 🤓📚

Literacy is such an important skill. Not just for our neurotypical learners, but more so for our individuals with complex communication needs. If you can T-Y-P-E a word, you have access to E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G you want to say!

First ever post and I thought a picture is worth a thousand words!

This morning, my 4 year old daughter, Isabelle, told me that she wanted to read a story. Izzy chose these symbols on her PODD;

"Picture" "story" "me"

I was speechless, overwhelmed and terribly proud. So, I helped her open "Look to Read" software (I will share a video of Izzy using this software next week) and SHE read a few pages.

Now, for a bit of context. Izzy has Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which affects speech, coordination and use of hands. At this stage, she is non-speaking and uses a Tobii Dynavox eye gaze computer to learn and communicate her thoughts, feelings and ideas.

It is just so strange and wonderful how things work out sometimes.

You see, I have been thinking of starting this campaign to raise awareness on the need to convert mainstream books to eye gaze technology and hopefully, other Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) formats, so children with complex communication needs can read books on their devices.

I set this page up a week ago and haven't touched it since. To be honest, I was worried about taking the plunge but I just needed a nudge and my amazing little girl gave it to me.

Since this morning eye gaze conversation, I am even more passionate about proving that having access to a wide range of read along mainstream books, with the difference that the user can read at their own pace and independently, would hopefully help people of all ages with significant disabilities read and write on their devices.

It is still early days but I am currently reaching out to experts, researchers as well as organisations to work together how we can achieve this.

We won't be able to do this without community support so please, follow our journey and share this page. ☺️

Marie & Izzy

24/03/2022

What is AAC?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) reflects all the different ways we communicate other than speech. You use AAC stratgies every day too in gestures and writing!

People with disabilities may have minimal or no speech, so a range of AAC options to suit all of their environments is a MUST! This is where an AAC Specialist can provide support on making sure the right options are explored 💬

21/03/2022

Let's talk about the things we do at Tech to Talk Speech Therapy 💬

💜 Support people with disabilities - often those with complex needs (including communication, mobility, medical, and behavioural needs)
💙 Provide access to communication to all ages
💜 Assess, trial & recommend the right communication tool(s) for all environments
💙 Train the people around the communicator (home, school, workplace) on using their system(s)
💜 Individualise the communication tool(s) to meet your needs
💙 Explore alternative access when pointing is not the best method for all situations
💜 + so much more!

Appointments are still available for a limited amount of time! Reach out for more information 👋🏼