Specialists should make it a PRIORITY to keep a trauma-informed approach in our daily practices!

Environmental Influence on AAC Device Use and Research Insights

AAC devices aren't just about tech; the environment and personal interactions matter a lot, too.

Vocabulary Limits: Many AAC devices focus on nouns, missing out on other essential words. This restricts conversations to basic functions such as requests and leaves out vital functions such as refusing or asking questions. Also, in standard English, creating a grammatically correct and clear sentence using only nouns in the positions of subject, verb, and object is challenging, if not impossible, without resorting to creative or non-standard interpretations. Crafting full sentences with a heavy noun emphasis, therefore, becomes tricky -- if not impossible.

Latency Time: Sometimes, users need a bit more time to find the right words on their device. However, this can sometimes disrupt the flow of a conversation, leading to potential awkward pauses -- which can sometimes cause a partner to interpret, non verbally, what a user might be trying to say.

Helpful, but...: Occasionally, people might step in to assist AAC users finish their thoughts. While the intent is kind, it can unintentionally overshadow what the AAC user is trying to express.

Ways to Improve:

Tweak the Device: Make it user-friendly. With faster word-finding, conversations become more fluid.

Broaden Word Choices: AAC devices should include a variety of core and fringe vocabulary — not just nouns but also verbs, adjectives, and more. Remember: you can rarely create sentences with only nouns, which are often fringe vocabulary words (e.g. YouTube). A diverse word selection paves the way for richer conversations.

Training for Friends & Family: Educating familiar conversation partners to be patient and allow the AAC user to lead can foster a more inclusive communication environment. When a new AAC user starts school, both their family and the school staff should receive training on how to use, model, and respond to the device in relevant situations.

Research Validates This...

There's strong research supporting these points. Works by Beukelman and Mirenda shed light on AAC's nuances, emphasizing the importance of a vast vocabulary and nurturing conversations. Many clinicians concur: understanding and addressing these aspects are pivotal for AAC users to engage in successful conversations.

Here's an alternative way to introduce new words when working on parent coaching: rather than look into what word a child should say, determine what problem can be solved by using a word. For example, teaching the word "more," solves the problem of getting access to something that has gone away -- some juice, an activity, a song, etc. Core words, such as "more", allow children to use them for multiple purposes. "Robot", on the other hand, has limited utility and doesn't necessarily solve many problems in numerous environments. When a word solves a problem, the child is more likely to use that word throughout the day, thereby integrating it into their functional vocabulary.

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📣 Join our team at SLP-Tele! 🌟

We're seeking talented Remote Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) to join our dynamic and compassionate team. At SLP-Tele, we provide innovative telepractice services to help individuals overcome communication challenges and improve their quality of life.

Why choose SLP-Tele?
🌍 Work from anywhere: Enjoy the freedom and flexibility of remote work.

💼 Part-time or full-time options: Whether you prefer a part-time schedule to pursue other passions or a full-time commitment, we have opportunities to suit your needs.

💸 CA licensure reimbursement: If you're a Speech Language Pathologist that's not yet licensed in California, we offer reimbursement for licensure fees to support your professional growth and development.

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We can't wait to review your application and welcome you to the SLP-Tele family.

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🌟 We're Hiring! 🌟

Join our team at SLP-Tele as a Remote Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and make a difference from the comfort of your own home. We're seeking passionate individuals who are dedicated to helping others improve their communication skills.

✨ Benefits we offer ✨
Reimbursement for California licensure
Opportunities for both part-time (minimum 12 hours per week) and PRN (as needed) positions
Flexible schedules, with afternoon and evening options available

As an SLP, you'll have the chance to work remotely, providing invaluable services to clients in need. Join our dynamic team and contribute to enhancing the lives of individuals through the power of speech therapy.

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! Apply today by clicking the link in the. We look forward to reviewing your application.

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Happy National Speech and Language Day!

To all the Speech Language Therapists in our community, today we gather not just as colleagues and peers, but as a dedicated, passionate community with a shared mission. Today, we honor the transformative work that we do and the profound impact we have on the lives we touch. Happy National Speech and Language Day!

On this day, we celebrate the skill, dedication, and compassion that each and every one of you brings to your work as speech therapists. Our role is not merely a job; it's a calling to uplift lives, unlock potential, and transform futures. We witness daily how our efforts can help a child tell their parents they love them, allow an adult to regain their voice after a stroke, or give a person struggling with a stutter the confidence to speak in front of a crowd. The power of our work is immeasurable, and its impact is far-reaching.

Here at Liricare, we believe in empowering people through communication. We celebrate the beauty of diversity in the ways that we communicate, and we strive to bridge the gaps that speech and language barriers can sometimes create. We know that every voice matters and every voice deserves to be heard.

As speech therapists, we are truly the architects of communication. We design the tools and build the bridges that help our patients connect with the world around them. Today, let's pause to acknowledge the extraordinary work that we do, but also the responsibility we carry.

As we mark National Speech and Language Day, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to each member of our Liricare community. Your unwavering commitment, your compassionate care, and your constant pursuit of professional excellence inspire not just your patients, but everyone around you.

Let's continue to uplift one another, share our experiences and wisdom, and celebrate our successes. After all, we are stronger together. We are a beacon of hope for those we serve, and together, we are making a difference, one word at a time.

Happy National Speech and Language Day! Here's to us, to the lives we change, and to the future we're shaping.