by Cassandra Stafford, MS, CCC-SLP/L, ATP (Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Professional), NWACS Board Member

This is part one of a three-part series on Teaming for Success.

*AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Becoming an AAC family can be overwhelming. There is so much to learn and know. And communication may be only one of many areas you are learning to navigate with your child. Often there are many professionals to connect with, work with, and coordinate as you figure out how to best meet your child’s needs. These professionals and all the caregivers, relatives, and friends in your child’s life become your child’s team. This team is there to support you and your child. To help your child grow and develop to reach their full potential.

While everyone on the team is there for your child, there is something you should know. YOU are the most important team member. (Until your child can take more of an active role, then it is you and your child that are the most important team members.) Yes, goals and interventions and decisions should be working toward what is best for your child. But, those same goals and interventions and decisions should also be meeting your family’s needs and vision and values.

You are driving the bus! Your child is sitting up front right next to you. Everyone else on the team? They are all passengers in the back seats. Don’t let anyone drive from the back seat. Hold firm to the steering wheel! Many team members will come and go. A few may be with you for a long time. But you are the constant through it all. You know your child best. You know the history of what has been done and how it went. You are the consistent team member with knowledge of the plan. You know how and why an AAC system was chosen and developed. You are the keeper of the long-term vision and plan. Hold the team to that long term vision and plan. When new team members come along, share the vision and plan and ask that they get on board. The plan and AAC system should not change just because the team members have changed. That is not fair to your child.

For your child to learn to use an AAC system, they need:

• a consistent and robust system of communication

• reliable and consistent access to their AAC system

• their AAC system integrated into all aspects of their life

• you and everyone else on their team to become good communication partners

• to see and experience everyone around them using their AAC language

• lots of time and opportunities

And that means becoming an AAC family. So, it is important that you are actively involved in choosing the communication system and strategies for your child.

If you do not feel like you understand or have enough information, stop the bus and ask for directions. It is okay to push pause and ask questions until you do understand. When something is not or will not work for your family, it is okay (and important) to say that. It is okay to ask for parent training. Do what you need to do to feel that you are making informed and purposeful decisions. Do what you need to do to feel empowered.

Some team members may not be a good fit for you and your child - and that is okay. Team members should be supportive. They should listen and partner with you. They should help problem-solve. They should value your input and vision. You should feel helped and supported and good about the direction things are going. Team members should give you information and guidance, and even respectfully challenge you at times. But in the end they should allow you to make the decisions. If a team member is not supporting you and is more of an obstacle than a helpful guide, let them off the bus.

I encourage you to find your support network and allies. Having a support network to encourage and walk with you through this process can make all the difference. They can help boost you up when you feel inadequate, discouraged, or don’t have the energy to keep driving the bus. Most importantly, trust yourself and hold firm to your vision and plan for your child. Remember that it is okay to:

• take the time you need to make sure you understand

• seek the information you need to make purposeful decisions

• take a step back to catch your breath and make course corrections as needed

And keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.

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