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 Molly Menzie, MS, CCC-SLP; NWACS Board Member
reading time: 2 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 interviewing Tara Fruechte, SLP (speech-language pathologist). She is an Adult Solutions Consultant for TobiiDynavox in Seattle and the greater NW Washington region. Tara started working for TobiiDynavox in February 2023. Tara became interested in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) during undergraduate school. There was limited exposure to AAC content in her program. Prior to graduate school, she completed observations in the (Don & Melba Rugg) Assistive Technology Lab at Craig Hospital in Denver, CO. During graduate school at the University of Colorado Boulder, Tara shared her interest in AAC with a supervisor. She was then assigned to work with the only AAC client in the graduate school clinic for the next year and a half.
Most recently, Tara worked at UW Medicine at both the Montlake campus and the Valley Medical Center campus. Tara made the switch from practicing speech therapy to becoming a Solutions Consultant for TobiiDynavox because she wanted to use her skill set in a specific, but different way. She wanted to help and support people, and to grow her knowledge base. She said, “I want to do something really powerful, really specific. And I think I’ll be really good at it, in terms of connecting people to resources and supporting people in a really specific way.”
Tara explains her role as Solutions Consultant:
“As someone with a background in speech-language pathology, I come to the table offering a point of contact for families, therapists, and teachers, who want to know more about what AAC is. How to implement it. What those options are. And how to get people access to the systems that the clients might need. I also offer support with the funding process, demo-ing devices, and finding the assistive technology that would best support a person in communicating to their fullest potential.”
A few things that Tara loves about working for TobiiDynavox:
TobiiDyanvox supports learning
Feeling inspired by all the different SLPs, teachers, parents, and clients she meets
Getting to go into different environments, hospitals, schools, etc.
Working with people across the lifespan
Seeing how TobiiDyanvox’s technology changes people’s lives
Things about TobiiDynavox products that stand out to Tara:
Using the I-series (with Windows) allows TD Snap and Communicator 5 to be linked to each other and used together on the same device.
There are access methods that allow adults to keep working and doing what they want to do. Such as eye control, TD Browse, TD Phone, etc.
TD Snap’s editability and the availability of the new Motor Plan 30 and Motor Plan 66 vocabulary sets with the feature of the vocabulary filter.
TobiiDynavox says “One AAC user is one AAC user”. They don’t expect AAC supports to look the same across a population.
If you’d like to get in touch with Tara, you can call, text, or email her. She recommends getting in touch with her, to schedule an in-person evaluation if you are interested in a TobiiDynavox product.
Tara Fruechte, M.A., CCC-SLP
Solutions Consultant – Seattle & Greater NW Washington
Mobile: (206) 462-0317
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