Ethan verbally said “ssss” today whilst learning about Phonics at School & whilst on this page of his AAC device. 🐍

Ethan is learning about Phonics at School so as his parents we always try to think of ways we can utilise Ethan’s AAC device [aka his voice!] to work alongside & to support his education at School. So, after finding out from his teacher which Phonics to add we set to work adding the SATPIN sounds. Using TD Snap we created a specific folder & I could record my voice making the specific Phonics sounds as needed.

It’s one of my greatest fears, as the parent of a non-speaking child, that they will be underestimated & competence won’t be assumed. But, also that they will be underestimated purely because the tools just aren’t there for them to communicate their knowledge – i.e relevant buttons on an AAC device. How frustrating [understatement!] must it be for Ethan to know the answer to the question, to know the Phonics sound, to know the Maths result etc – but be unable to communicate it.

So, whenever we can – we’re always creating folders, personalising buttons & communicating with his teachers to work together so underestimation never, ever happens.

And, as further proof of just how amazing AAC is & how it most definitely doesn’t hinder Speech Development – Ethan, on just Day 2 of this folder existing, verbally said the “ssss” sound whilst on this specific folder of his AAC device today. All communication is linked & supports one another, there’s no hierarchy. 🐍👏

What a hero & another celebration of AAC.