October is a special month. We get to celebrate Halloween while helping one another become more aware of issues like breast and mental health.
It is also Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month.
AAC is any manner or system which allows a non or limited-speaking person to communicate in ways other than their own vocalized words. It is a subject dear to me given that our daughter, Daphne, is a non-speaking autistic whose life has been so enriched by her alternative communication technology.
This is the third autumn, for example, that she’s been able to tell us via her AAC software, TouchChat (on her speech-dedicated i-Pad or “talker,” as we call it), what she wants to be for Halloween. In 2023 it was an elephant.
Last year, she said “squid” on her talker.
This year, inspired by our trip to the Mystic Aquarium, she told us “sea lion.”
Isn’t that simply wonderful?
I was also asked this month to volunteer with the Vermont Family Network. I can’t discuss specifics due to confidentiality, but basically this work entailed sharing how our family has supported Daphne’s communication development. Here are some photos and a short video I submitted; they’re good little glimpses into what her software is like.
Daph’s inability to speak was one of the most devastating challenges we faced early in her diagnosis, but I don’t feel that way anymore. Truly, TouchChat is a major component of her voice, and she loves her talker. She can now express her basic needs, like what she wants to eat, drink, and do, while also using it to say “yes,” “no,” “please,” “thank you,” “help,” and “I love you” among other phrases. TouchChat is allowing her to become quite the self-advocate.
Daphne also loves exploring her software and continues to learn new “fringe” vocabulary every day, especially in the context of songs, books, and games. The more playful for her, the better, as with any child. She can now answer academic questions and even sing and read with us using TouchChat.
I am eternally grateful for this technology and for all the speech therapists, educators, other experts, and families/advocates who do so much to empower AAC users and teach the world about its possibilities, normalizing its use for everyone.
Next week, when her grandparents, dad, and I take Daphne to the local Trunk or Treat at the Kingdom Campgrounds, she will be able to say “Trick or Treat” and “Thank you” while collecting her candy. She will, in the best ways, be just like everyone else.
In other seasonal news…
I harvested nine beautiful orange pumpkins from our garden. Most of them I left outside on display, but you can see they’ve become oversized hen treats.
No matter–it’s a great use for the gourds. Apparently, pumpkin is nutritious for chickens, the flesh “chock full of vitamin E, thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6 and iron” while the seeds are “an excellent source of dietary fiber, zinc, protein and healthy fats.” So yay, I’ll let the girls peck them all day, as long as they’re still eating their regular feed.
Speaking of pumpkins, we took Daph to a pumpkin decorating event at our favorite pizza place, Papa Tirozzi’s Bakery. She did a fabulous job tying a mermaid tail to her chosen gourd and pressing stickers and rhinestones on its surface, a great fine motor activity.
Daphne also happened to steal the organizer’s heart, and her picture made it onto Tirozzi’s Facebook page.
This weekend, we’re heading south for a family jaunt to the 2025 Carnage gaming convention in Killington. We’re visiting as guests this year, but we plan to scope it all out and, maybe, attend as Mythic Moose vendors next year. That could be a fabulous way to grow our online trading card game business.
I’ve got my mini boxed wine and camping glass ready to go for the hotel room.
I’d love to know your special seasonal plans! Or, if you have any questions about AAC, don’t hesitate to pop them in the comments.
See you next week!
XOXO,
Jenn
Jennifer Shaw 