Village Voices Speech Therapy & Assistive Technology Services

09/04/2026

Comment CIRCLE to let me teach you, too, about AAC.

A few years back, one of the SLPs who had inspired me in grad school to dive into the AAC world asked me to author a chapter in her textbook (Shoutout to Nerissa Hall) 🎉

Now, I’m teaching a grad level AAC course for SLP students using that same textbook.

Didn’t plan it. Just have always wanted to contribute to the field that I love. That was true back when I wrote the chapter, true when I accepted the university teaching position, and remains true with my launch of The AAC Achievement Lab this fall.

If you’re an SLP, SLPA, or CF wanting to build real AAC confidence, then my AAC Achievement Lab learning program is for you.

Comment CIRCLE to join the waitlist.

Video description: A speech therapy textbook, “Fundamentals of AAC: A Case-Based Approach to Enhancing Communication” is opened and scanned to Chapter 3 Mid- and High-Tech AAC written by Elena Fader Hurlburt.

08/24/2026

I’m on a mission to make AAC feel realistic for families and speech therapy professionals by highlighting everyday moments and experiences.

Mealtimes with my own baby and my toddler (ahem, my preschooler as of this week!) always remind me of AAC implementation. They both are most successful when: all forms of communication are honored, the topic/food is meaningful for the person, and the adults take an active role in encouraging engagement. Oh, and they both are often a bit messy!

At any age, and regardless of a person’s current communication stage, offering choices and creating opportunities to connect over meals is powerful. The consistency and repetition of this frequent activity naturally teaches new vocabulary and demonstrates the different reasons to communicate within a familiar context (anybody else notice a 3 year old can protest in many different ways?!) It also encourages communication partners to practice patience while everybody is coordinating eating, thinking, and communicating.

Whatever mealtimes look like for your family or in your client’s home (sit down meals vs food on the go, full menus vs modified diets, etc.), I guarantee that there are golden communication opportunities within them every single day. Let me help you discover them!

I’m currently filling up fall schedule with professional mentorship and family coaching sessions. I also have a calendar of unique learning opportunities unfolding.

📆Send a DM to get on my calendar

✨Share this note with somebody who needs a reminder that using AAC can actually be manageable!

PS if you’re looking for support in starting your baby on solids, I HIGHLY recommend Solid Starts - shoutout to my fellow SLPs and other professionals making a difference within the daily lives of real families!

08/14/2026

SLPs, SLPAs, CFs, speechie grad students…this is for you!! Comment START to join The AAC Achievement Lab, a one-of-a-kind education program that teaches speech therapy professionals to support AAC caseloads using the skills they already have.

I developed this program based on 13+ years of teaching teams to recognize their own strengths in order to help others. By leading local trainings, chatting at resource fairs, presenting at national conferences, and teaching university courses, all while working with my own clients, I have exactly what it takes to make you realize that YOU have exactly what it takes.

I am pioneering the way that AAC education is delivered. I have seen which approaches lead to frustration, device abandonment, and poor communication outcomes. I know which streamlined strategies help teams maximize a person’s communication potential. I have participated in continuing education that teaches only theory. I know that professional development sessions are only impactful if they focus on real life scenarios.

I genuinely believe that anyone can use AAC, and that anyone can support a person’s AAC journey. I also happen to have the ability to help make those beliefs become reality.

Hop on the waiting list now to be one of the first to hear when doors open this fall. Only a small group will be let in to keep the vibe personal, so don’t miss out!

Comment START to get yourself one step closer to AAC confidence.

Video description: Several images flash through that show Elena presenting and that display various AAC materials.

08/07/2026

07/13/2026

I was once told that I am in my element when I speak about AAC and share its power with others.

People consistently state that my passion for teaching others about communication always shines through brightly.

These have been the biggest compliments of my career because I genuinely feel a fire light inside me when I see opportunities for communication education that will fuel clients forward.

Let me help you move forward, no matter your role and no matter what the communication journey has looked like (or not looked like…) up until now.

It would bring me joy, and bring you peace.

Follow along, comment, connect, learn, grow, collaborate.

Whether it’s through a formal workshop or course, a professional mentorship meeting, a client session, or simply a social media conversation, let’s work together to make communication possible for all.

07/10/2026

Comment MODEL to get your hands on a free resource that makes AAC modeling a breeze for speech-language pathologists, parents, and other team members.

Modeling language has been the no. 1 strategy to encourage AAC use for years. But during these years, it has been an intimidating concept that often doesn’t happen correctly in real life.

From the hundreds of clients I’ve worked with and the thousands of SLPs I’ve supported, I’ve learned that keeping things simple for everyone truly predicts the best communication outcomes.

If you are an SLP working with a client using AAC, this resource is for you.

Regardless of whether you are a new grad, CF, or seasoned SLP, this resource is for you.

Regardless of whether you are an SLP working with young kiddos, school-aged, young adults, or adults, this resource is for you.

Regardless of whether you work in early intervention, school, private practice, medical facility, or other setting, this resource is for you.

Comment MODEL and I’ll send the resource link over to you. Stop panicking about AAC implementation and start making it feel easier for the whole team…for free!

07/02/2026

Stop overthinking augmentative and alternative communication and give yourself some credit - you actually already know what to do. I’m here with a friendly nudge to help you realize it!

1️⃣ My AAC Modeling Map freebie is the starting point - weave meaningful words and phrases into everyday environments.

2️⃣ My AAC Achievement Lab course takes it all further - use the clinical expertise you already have and apply it to AAC cases.

Ready to gain AAC implementation confidence in just a few hours? Here’s what you can do:

Download the freebie and register now, then join us in August to learn about the framework that will prepare you to tackle AAC caseloads by fall.

Don’t hesitate to make the career investment, doors close July 17! Register by July 10 and we’ll get an extra bonus over to you you (hint…Did you know 1:1 AAC mentorship can make that complex case stop feeling so scary…?!)

Links in bio 🎉

Video description: a woman points to the camera then the image switches to a screen share of the Village Voices Speech Therapy AAC Modeling Map.

06/22/2026

Happening this week!! I always look forward to attending this annual conference. A bonus this year - I’ll be presenting a session, “From Breakfast to Bedtime: Weaving AAC into Daily Life”

Parents, SLPs and other professionals, come join the conversations - for FREE!

Choices Give us a Voice, June 24-25, 2026

06/22/2026

Hi I’m Elena, the voice and the heart behind Village Voices Speech Therapy!

In honor of my 37th birthday and of the 2 year anniversary of my business, I’m taking time to celebrate some small (and big!) wins. Reflect with me!

• I get to spend time with my two little boys every morning before starting the work day. Yes, the coffee gets cold fast, but hey, I like iced coffee!

• I love taking nature photos with my “fancy” camera and recently found time to snap a few shots. There’s nothing like viewing the world from behind the lens. After all, isn’t taking new perspectives on something what makes the world go round?

• I graduated with my master’s degree in 2013. My career has always focused on learning everything I can about AAC and then paying it forward to teach it all to others. In that time, my clinical work, resources, and presentations have reached over 20,000 people across all 50 states and over 50 countries…

…and I’m not stopping there…my global reach towards communication access for all is continuing with a new AAC learning program that has a launch date just around the corner.

Follow along so you don’t miss it!

What are some of your recent wins? Share below and let’s celebrate together! 🎉

05/19/2026

Concerned about skill regression without school-based speech therapy services during the summer? Sign up for summertime speech & language sessions with us!

☀️Work with a licensed SLP from Village Voices Speech Therapy & Assistive Technology Services to address personalized goals

☀️Services can support augmentative & alternative communication (AAC) device use, articulation, language delays, vocabulary expansion, social skills, and more

☀️Openings available for preschool - high school students in CT & MA (if you live in a different state, I have other options for you!)

☀️Sessions conveniently held in homes, community locations, or via telehealth

☀️Flexible scheduling available to ensure time for vacations, camps, & other summer fun!

Let’s work together! Send a DM or contact me via the link in bio.

Image description: close up of children’s hands playing with a water bead sensory bin.