COMMUNICATION
Amazing Ways AAC Can Improve
Communication for Your Child
Ewa OMAHEN, PhD
One of the most difficult things to cope with as an autism mom was my son Patrick’s
inability to speak. I remember hoping and praying that speech was going to develop
and reassuring myself that it was a matter of time and the words would emerge by
perhaps the next holiday or birthday.
I
recall having tearful moments while Christmas
shopping, when I overheard other children ask-
ing their moms for toys on their Santa lists, or
while grocery shopping and hearing little voic-
es asking for favorite snacks. The speech never
came and attempts to solicit it through extensive
modeling and by encouraging my son to imitate
me only added to the feelings of helplessness and
frustration.
I know I am not alone. Many parents and families
are feeling equally overwhelmed and helpless when
they first become aware of their children’s language
and other developmental delays and receive the au-
tism diagnosis. The current estimate indicates that
about 30 percent of children diagnosed with autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) will not develop function-
al speech. There are thousands of parents out there
in search of solutions on how to give their children
voices and empower them with self-expression.
It has been a long, often trying yet exciting journey
for us as a family, with many obstacles and opportu-
nities along the way, and a steep learning curve for
all involved in teaching our son to express himself.
Patrick responded favorably to sign language at the
age of six. His first “words” were requests for food and
favorite toys. Currently, in addition to some signs, he
primarily uses a communication app—Prolqouo-
2Go. He has evolved from a child who used to “hide”
under the table at school, shy away from social inter-
actions, and act like a defeated and helpless human
being to a strong-willed and persistent 15-year-old
who loves to communicate and to be heard.
Giving Patrick a voice is a work in progress that re-
quires ongoing interventions, supports, and collab-
oration among everyone involved in his life, includ-
ing his family, school team, and private therapists.
Over the past few years, we have worked with sev-
eral speech pathologists specializing in augmenta-
tive and alternative communication. Their guidance
regarding assessing needs, setting up the device,
establishing appropriate goals and treatment plan,
and teaching us as parents how to be effective com-
munication partners has been invaluable.
Finding a new way to communicate
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
describes various methods of communication
that can help people who are unable to use verbal
speech, or have other language difficulties, to com-
Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 71 |
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