by Kathy Smith, MSPA, CCC-SLP/L (Speech-Language Pathologist, retired); NWACS Vice President

reading time: 2 minutes

Most SLPs specializing in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) have probably heard of Dr. David Beukelman. He was one of the pioneers in AAC. Sadly, he passed away on February 5, 2022, in Lincoln, Nebraska. His obituary states: “He helped initiate the field of AAC designing communication materials and devices for children and adults who could not speak. He was an intellect with a humble heart bent towards serving others.”

I would like to recall Dave’s local connections in Washington, particularly Seattle. Dave was the Director of Communication Disorders at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) for 10 years, from about 1975 to 1985 before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska. In Seattle, he started exploring a field in speech pathology that was so young that even figuring out a name for our field was challenging. At first, the name was Non-Vocal Communication. It was later changed to AAC because ‘non-vocal’ implies no vocalizations. The difficulty of naming the field is an example of where the learning process started and how much everyone had to learn. And Dave was right there at the start, bursting with energy and inquisitiveness to learn about AAC. He was always thinking of new research projects which, oftentimes, included us, new speech pathologists. His excitement and energy were infectious. Those of us in Seattle had the good fortune to work with him, participate in research with him, and ultimately learn about AAC with him. He had a special way of making us feel that we were all on the same team. We were pioneers with him.

And for me, Dave inspired me to become a specialist in AAC. I am now retired after an exciting career in AAC. I still have wonderful memories of those early years with Dave. He surely left his mark on the Pacific Northwest.

Most notably, Dave helped start the Pacific Northwest Non-Vocal Communication Society (PNWN-VCS) in the 1970s, asking doctors, therapists, and families from all over Washington state and Oregon to participate in quarterly meetings and annual conferences. The organization he helped start is now the Northwest Augmentative Communication Society (NWACS). The organization has continued to have annual conferences since he left many years ago. This year’s conference is on October 15th. Over the years I have learned so much about AAC through these annual AAC conferences. One of the incredible legacies Dave left behind. Hope to see you in October!

For more on the life and legacy of David Beukelman, read Lessons for the AAC field: a tribute to Dr. David Beukelman

Aimee Dietz, Miechelle McKelvey, Pat Mirenda, Janice C. Light, Sarah Blackstone, Susan Fager, Julia Fischer, Kathryn Garrett, Lewis Golinker, Amber Thiessen, Kristy Weissling, Michael B. Williams & Kathryn Yorkston (2022) Lessons for the AAC field: a tribute to Dr. David Beukelman, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 38:2, 77-81, DOI: 10.1080/07434618.2022.2077831