Autism And Tech The Unlikely Team-Up!

AAC the one of the two stepping stones for Tech-Tism

Well there is a brief description of an AAC. One of the first inspirations for this idea I seen as a parent with an autistic son. Can you believe at one time I was apprehensive to this device as a parent. My whole life I loved evryting tech from the Commodore 64, Super Nintendo, Playstaion, dvd, vhs, and so much more. But, like most parents with someone with special needs we want are child to be normal, or neurotypical so badly. I want my son to use his words not a tablet. Then it hits you why would I keep his words away do you keep insulin from a diabetic or an EpiPen from some one having an alergic reaction. When it comes to Special needs every tool you have at your disposal is a necessary resource. What would you know a few years later I am debating if I still consider my son non-verbal. Does he say much no not really. But,as he would say "buhh buye" I think I can say the same to the non-verbal diagnosis.

Now if you did not know what an AAC device was now you got an idea. Now the biggeest help when it comes to this is modeling. One of the first hurdles I had to get over when Jaxson started using a talker we call it at my house. Is just as important for Jaxson to use the icons as it is for me to model the icons he selects. Usually imitating the the selction Jaxson makes if he selects milk you enunciate the words and try to get him to repeat. Were about two years in with the talker and now we do get some basic words. But, we tend to get more of the words Jaxson likes pop, mickey mouse, popsicle, hungry, it may not seem like much but for Jaxson it is precious and brings tears to my eyes to hear his voice. Below is a little audio clip of me and him using the deivce.