By Magic Words Speech and Language Therapist, Developing Specialist
in Complex Needs, Charlotte Twelvetree
For those of you new to the topic of AAC, AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication and refers to a vast range of ways that people who are not able to communicate verbally, e.g. people with severe disabilities or those who have had major strokes, use other means to communicate such as speech generating devices (as used by the late Stephen Hawking).
As Speech Therapists we model how to use High-tech AAC devices for our clients through fun, motivating and functional activities. The families we work with have explored a range of cooking, craft, and play activities, all of which we can support them with using online therapy would you believe? Yes, it can be done and we make it work every day!
This week we have been doing Halloween related craft activities. My favourite activity has been these mummies. They have provided lots of chances to model communication and also opportunities for children to make choices using their personal communication skills. The children have also been able to direct me using their devices so I can join in too! We have been choosing:
Colours
People
How to make the mummies (e.g. painting, sticking, colouring etc.)
How many mummies to make
Big or small parts / mummies
Asking for help when we are stuck
