AAC Spotlight is a series of interviews. Reading about other people who are interested in AAC (augmentative-alternative communication) can help us connect with each other and share experiences and concerns. NWACS will occasionally interview people to help all of us learn more about each other and AAC.

By Alicia Alverson, MS, CCC-SLP, ATP; NWACS Board Member

reading time: 3 minutes

The views expressed in this post are that of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of NWACS. No endorsement by NWACS is implied regarding any device, manufacturer, resource, or strategy mentioned.

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Camille Stewart, SLP (speech-language pathologist). She is our newest Pediatric Solutions Consultant for TobiiDynavox in the Greater Seattle Area. Camille started her role in August 2023.

Camille has a fun story about what started her interested in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She was majoring in Spanish in college and needed to figure out another major go with it. She initially thought about something in the social work direction. As part of Camille’s Spanish major, she enrolled in an internship at an early learning center. She volunteered as a classroom aide. She saw AAC being used for the first time here. The center was mostly using light-tech resources like picture symbols. She got to see the power and magic that happens when children have access to communication. The rest is history!

After completing graduate school, Camille started her SLP career at Children’s Hospital in Colorado. She primarily worked with children who used high-tech AAC devices in the outpatient setting. She also specialized in working with multilingual backgrounds. Camille then transitioned into implementing more AAC resources in the inpatient setting. She specifically supported children needing access to communication in alternative ways. She then applied these supports to rehab and acute care centers.

Camille wanted to be closer to family and moved back to Washington about a year ago. Her primary focus was to spend time with family. She also got to know her SLP community through PRN (as-needed) work and maternity leave coverage. She worked in a variety of settings with adults and children. She most recently worked in the rehab unit at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Camille is now supporting pediatric needs for Tobii Dynavox in the greater Seattle area, including:

• down to Tacoma

• around the peninsula

• up to the Canadian border

• and out to the Cascades

“I think of my role as spreading the good word of AAC to anyone ready to learn,” Camille says of her role.

Camille helps parents, SLPs, teachers, paras, and other related professionals who are interested in trying a Tobii Dynavox device with a child. She helps them become comfortable and familiar with their software and hardware. And to be able to explore and ask questions about their devices. Camille is a resource for exploring if a high-tech Tobii Dynavox device is a good fit for a child. She is also available as a resource while a child is trying out a device. She helps to train others who support the child in their communication and daily life. When a child gets their own Tobii Dynavox device, Camile is available to help with device-specific training. She will help the child’s team learn about the device. She is an ongoing resource for anything that comes up.

Camille provides in-services and trainings for teams who are interested in learning more about Tobii Dynavox and the resources that are available through them. She also provides training to help teams learn more about AAC implementation. This can be geared towards someone beginning their journey in AAC or ready for more advanced topics. Camille is available to help in a variety of environments including, but not limited to:

• schools

• clinics

• ABA (applied behavior analysis) centers

• early childhood centers

Camille loves the varying opportunities that come with her role at Tobii Dynavox. She is excited about helping someone try a high-tech device for the first time. Fostering them to be empowered, confident, and comfortable in knowing they can use or support a high-tech device. She enjoys the opportunity to have great discussions with SLPs in Washington. She also enjoys meeting many amazing SLPs, OTs, teachers, paras, and parents. She learns something new with every person she meets.

When asked what stands out about Tobii Dyanvox products, Camille responded with a few things.

• The amount of resources available for learning.

• The high-quality, high-tech devices available.

• Free courses available through Tobii Dyanvox’s Learning Hub that address a variety of topics. These range from basic to more advanced courses.

• Tobii Dynavox is always working towards the latest and greatest technology. They take feedback from their users and recent research to inform their product development. Ensuring their products are the best they can be.

One fun fact about Camille is that her favorite snacks are applesauce and peanut butter! You may also see Camille around our NWACS community, serving as our new secretary!

You can reach Camille by email, phone, or text.

Phone/Text: (206) 406-0104

Email: camille.stewart@tobiidynavox.com

Thank you, Camille, for taking a moment to participate in our AAC Spotlight series! We are excited to have you as part of our AAC community.

Do you have a suggestion of someone you would like to see us interview for AAC Spotlight? Let us know in a comment below or send us an email.

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