If you haven’t already heard, October is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month. If you’ve been following along over the past few days, an incredible mother, Mary, is using an iPad mini and the Speak for Yourself app to communicate for the week. It’s the same system that her daughter, Jess , uses. Thank you for all of your wonderful insights, Mary!
I find this part incredibly valuable: “It is important to take time and just talk to myself through the App : ) At least I listen when I am talking and some words are sticking in my brain so my speed is getting a wee bit better.” I know some places where that would be referred to as “stimming.”
Here are Mary’s experiences for Day 3:
“Forgot to put in that yesterday I had to buy gas. Was able to say with icons (because I figured it out before getting to the pump) “please fill with regular”… Gas Jockey had absolutely no issue with my using ipad. Thumbs up to BP.
Visited my Mom. She lives in assisted living. She was having breakfast. Her health aide asked if I could hear? Some people just don’t get the concept because I can’t talk, that I must not be able to hear either. Then she compared me to Stephen Hawking. Which reminds me, he is talking through his prepared sentences. I wonder how long it takes him to write what he wants to say?
This morning at the barn. I said hi to someone and then was going to say more, but she stopped listening. She knows I have a voice and just went on her way without realizing I wasn’t finished talking. I’ve seen this happen to Jess.
Sigh… not possible to ride with the mini. Pretty much have to rely on yes and no questions when I don’t have access to the device. My trainer said now I can’t sass her back! Like I ever did that Michele…lol… it was hard because it wasn’t easy to join in on a conversation. You just can’t naturally interject comments when people are talking because of the delay of putting your sentence together.
My brother called on the phone. I could not answer. He does not text. My friend D’Anne was here so she called to tell him I was home and to come over. I asked him to stay for coffee, something we often do, and when he realized I couldn’t talk, he was going to leave! Gee! That’s not right!! He ended up staying. Mainly my conversation was through the keyboard. Thank goodness for the split screen. Makes typing faster. But after holding the mini in its iAdapter case and then holding my iPhone, my iPhone felt so small : ) I just am too slow to form sentences with the icons at this time. My brother accepted the pace in which I could talk. He was quite engaged as to how I should be able to express myself. It was too difficult to tell him that this will evolve and some phrases can be put in as well has HTT. It is important to take time and just talk to myself through the App : ) At least I listen when I am talking and some words are sticking in my brain so my speed is getting a wee bit better.
Phone is ringing again. I can’t answer. If they left a message, then I know it was important. Shocking. Did get a message regarding supports for my daughter. I networked with a friend who will give them my number so we I can text. There are some people I have no contact with because they don’t text or email and I can’t talk. Does that mean that if I truly couldn’t talk that no one would contact me?
Husband came home from biz trip tonight. I was able to catch him up somewhat. Showed him my phones texts. So much easier than repeating myself. However, when I was trying to say something, he wanted to finish my sentences and rush me through. This seems to be typical. I’ve come to the conclusion that it is just as important, proper and plain good manners to listen to every word someone has to say. For those that don’t have a voice and for those that do.
I was so happy to tell Jess what she had to do and she listened! Reminded her that if she wants to be heard then she has to listen too.
It has been a long day. Decided “I earned chocolate ice cream”. Geez, now I’m talking to myself thru the iPad : )
Ending thought for the evening. If you have not been blessed and gifted with speech, please be patient with those that struggle. It takes a lot of effort to communicate. Everyone has something to say and it is important to Speak for Yourself and not let others assume what you want or assume what you were going to say.”
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