by Camille Stewart, SLP (speech-language pathologist); NWACS Board Member
reading time: 3 minutes
The views expressed in this post are those of the author and interviewee 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.
In the Spotlight: Pixie, AAC User
In continuation of their interview for AAC Awareness month, Pixie shares about their experience as an AAC user. Pixie is a member of the NWACS Board. They are autistic, nonverbal, and a full time symbol-based AAC user. Per Pixie’s communication preference, Pixie received and responded to the interview questions via email.
Q: What helps you use your AAC successfully?
A: One thing What helps Pixie use AAC successfully is . people being aware of AAC devices *before* meeting Pixie . and . symbol based AAC specifically . So Pixie not be having to teach about what even is AAC at same time as is trying to communicate something .
Q: What’s something that people around you can do that makes communication easier?
A: Something that people can do to make communication easier is . To be patient !!! Also , learn to notice what Pixie look like when actively working on AAC device . ( But . important to remember . each AAC user be different ways of communicating this ! ) .
Q: What are some barriers you encounter when trying to communicate using your AAC system?
A: Patience even more important when communication not face to face . real-time online communication most challenging place for Pixie to communicate in . Since people not can see if Pixie trying to communicate something , getting interrupted by accident much more frequent .
Q: Tell me about some of the obstacles you encountered when trying to get an AAC system. What helped you deal with those obstacles?
A: Most difficult part of getting AAC device was just finding speech therapist . Specifically , that not have only experience with children . and . was able willing work with adults . and . have experience working with health insurance . Pixies Guardians tried as many different places as were willing to at least try to help ( Which was very few ) , for very long time , years , before finding . There are not enough speech therapists , especially not for adults .
Pixie not can afford AAC device with out insurance help . So . When need repairs . or . new device . have to again find speech therapist sign required paperwork before health insurance will do anything .
Q: What do you think people misunderstand about AAC? What should they know?
A: For misunderstandings . So many people seem expect AAC . especially robust high tech ( expensive ) speech generating device . To “ fix “ person's speech disability completely . when truth is very much not that at all .
AAC device make possible for Pixie communicate some . but . not everything . And only . When Pixie not too stressed to use AAC device . And . When AAC device available . so . not in rainy weather , big problem for where Pixie live . Or . when skiing , rock climbing , swimming , kayaking , hiking ... All activities Pixie really like !
AAC not “ Cure “ for being nonverbal . AAC not make Pixie able communicate everything anytime easily to anyone . Is still really hard communicate . even with very best AAC device , Pixie will still struggle . AAC device help ! but , not fix Pixies brain . Pixie still have severe expressive language disorder .
See future blog posts for part 3 of Pixie’s interview! And read An Interview with Pixie: Part 1 for part one of their interview.
