AAC Spotlight: Esther Klang, AAC User

Q: How does using AAC affect your day-to-day life? 

A: People, especially my family, don’t have the patience to wait for me to finish typing out my responses or catch my breath if I am speaking. They tend to finish my sentences and thoughts for me, which is extremely hurtful. It makes me very upset, which causes a lot of familial conflict. So I try to limit my answers to just yes/no and simple, short 3-4 words. This has made me less expressive, less likely to elaborate on my answer, and kind of lazy. In the interest of saving time, I let people finish my sentences for me or just talk for me entirely. People, therefore, think that I am not intelligent and not as capable as speaking people.

Another struggle I have is not knowing how to introduce myself or explain my medical condition.

Q: Why did you start using AAC, and how has it changed since then?

A: The first time I used AAC was when I had to start using a letter board to communicate after my brain stem tumor removal surgery in 2006. That surgery left me a quadriplegic with a tracheostomy, ventilator, shallow breathing, and vocal cord paralysis, which prevented me from speaking. Though I didn’t know then (and for many years) that that was AAC. I didn’t know what AAC is, its purpose, the different types, etc. I always just used to send text messages, use WhatsApp, or email to communicate because that seemed more “normal” to me.

For long answers, I write down my thoughts in a Google Doc and share it or just copy/paste it. A few months ago, I found out about the Speech Assistant app on my Android phone. Which I use, but I am still trying to get used to using it. I use Grid 3 on my computer. I also discovered the Voiceitt web app and Chrome extension in April. It is an AI-powered speech recognition software that learns and adapts to non-standard speech. I use Voiceitt when I have enough breath to speak. 

Q: How does using AAC help you express yourself and talk to others?

A: It allows me to be more expressive and elaborate on my answers. 

Q: What do you think people misunderstand about AAC, and what should they know?

A: People think that not vocal is the same thing as not being verbal. They also think that all AAC users are less capable than they actually are.

Q: How can society better help people who use AAC?

A: They should learn to be patient, and they should treat us how they would want to be treated. 

Q: Which AAC devices or tools do you find most useful?

A: I consider text messaging, WhatsApp, and email my lifeline. They are sacrosanct because they are normal, acceptable ways of communicating. I also use the Voiceitt web app when I can speak. Additionally, I use Grid 3 on my computer and the Speech Assistant app on my Android phone.

Q: How do you feel when talking to people who don’t use AAC, and what advice would you give to others?

A: I can’t give advice. I am still struggling with not always being able to use my voice and being ashamed to have to use AAC.

Q: How important is it for people to learn about AAC and include AAC users?

A: I believe that it is crucial because you never know when you yourself will be forced to rely on using some form of AAC.

It is imperative that everyone should have at least a basic understanding of what AAC is. The way to get used to AAC and AAC users is by exposure. AAC should be taught at a young age starting in kindergarten. It should be taught in schools and colleges by AAC users and speech-language pathologists (SLPs).

Q: Can you share a time when using AAC helped you communicate something important? 

A: I find it really helpful for me to type out my questions before I go to doctor appointments. This makes our time smoother and more productive.