Dal Dwylo

16/10/2025

An AAC system can help place a lunch order... but can it turn classmates into besties?

We're diving into why the fun vocabulary (inside jokes, pop culture references, personal disclosures) matters just as much (if not more!) than functional requests, and what happens when AAC is designed for connection instead of just transactions.

Read our research review, "Using AAC to make BFFs" for more on how to design AAC interventions to help friendships flourish. Find it at https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/Using-AAC-to-make-BFFs

The research: https://doi.org/10.1097/tld.0000000000000368

[Visual description: Cartoon image of four people engaging and sharing stories using different communication methods. One person uses an AAC device with emoji symbols, another holds up a photo, and another shows an image on a tablet. They’re all smiling and connecting through conversation. Speech bubbles filled with emojis float above them. Image text reads, "Communication is about connection."]

15/10/2025

15/10/2025

Ydych chi'n meddwl bod gan eich plentyn Angenhion Dysgu Ychwanegol? 👇 Dyma esboniad o'r broses o gael cefnogaeth, yn cynnwys amseroedd ac apelio

15/10/2025

Do you think your child has Additional Learning Needs? Here's the process of getting support explained, including deadlines and appeals 👇

15/10/2025

MANAGING ANXIETY IN NEURODIVERGENT TEENAGERS
Angela McMillan, Elemental Health Thursday, 16th of October2025, 10:00am - 12:00pm
This practical workshop explores how anxiety shows up in neurodivergent teenagers and offers strategies for effective, compassionate support. We'll cover sensory needs, communication differences, co-regulation techniques, and adapting evidence-based tools. Participants will gain greater confidence in recognising triggers, reducing overwhelm, and creating safer, more inclusive environments for young people to manage anxiety and thrive.

To book your place please use this link:

68fde292-80a3-4ba7-ba92-75a704b1b3dc@6850a7f1-4cc1-4482-a1c1-79439f679966" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/68fde292-80a3-4ba7-ba92-75a704b1b3dc@6850a7f1-4cc1-4482-a1c1-79439f679966
(this session is for parents& carers only)

14/10/2025

50% off ends tomorrow. (Wednesday)

You DON’T need ANYONE’S permission to start using AAC with your child.

You DON’T need to wait until they are ‘ready’ - We don’t wait until our neurotypical children can hold a conversation before we speak to them and teach them language, so why do we have wait for our nonspeaking children to be ready? We don’t!

Is it hard to get started? It can be, but you’ll never know until you try!

YOU - the parent/carer/staff member do most do the work without expecting your child to respond immediately. YOU have to teach them and try to fully immerse them in their new language so that they can learn how rewarding it can be. Everyone here is familiar with learning Welsh through full immersion! It’s the same thing. You learn together.

Will you make a mistake? Yes of course! Will it matter? Not at all.
You can change mind and buy a different system.
It won’t stop them speaking.
They will still understand their first language even if they use a communication app!
There are children in local schools using these apps.
We can support you on your communication journey - you don’t need to be a trained speech therapist to get started.

What have you got to lose?

If these apps aren’t suitable for your child there are others which are still on offer for another 2 weeks. (See post below from Smartbox)

https://www.assistiveware.com/aac-app-sale

One more day to purchase our AAC apps at 50% off.

We know the journey to getting started with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) can be overwhelming. If you're unsure how our apps can help or have questions, please leave a comment or message us. We're here to help you!

14/10/2025

📣 October is AAC Awareness Month! 🎉

📣 Mis Ymwybyddiaeth AAC yw Hydref! 🎉I ddathlu, mae Smartbox yn cynnig 50% o leihad ar Grid ar gyfer iPad o Heddiw - Dydd Mawrth 14 Hydref i Dydd Gwener 24 Hydref!

Mae setiau griw hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg. (Beta).

Gadewch i ni wneud cyfathrebu yn hygyrch i bawb! 💬

To celebrate, Smartbox is offering 50% off Grid for iPad from Today - Tuesday 14th October to Friday 24th October!

Gridsets are also available in Welsh. (Beta form).

Let’s make communication accessible for everyone! 💬✨

👉Check out their website here: www.thinksmartbox.com/news/grid-for-ipad-50-off-app-sale-october-2025-2

In celebration of AAC Awareness Month, we will be offering 50% off Grid for iPad between 14-24 October 2025. Learn more.

14/10/2025

A yw eich plentyn yn dal i ddefnyddio PECs?

A yw eich ysgol neu eich therapydd Lleferydd yn dweud bod angen i chi feistroli PECs cyn cael dyfais neu gefnogaeth AAC? Mae hyn yn anghywir ac ni ddylai ddigwydd o hyd.

Nid yw symbolau yn PECs. ❌
Mae symbolau yn dda ✅

PECs yw'r ffordd y caiff y symbolau eu defnyddio (y system) - dyma'r ffordd y caiff ei addysgu (dan arweiniad oedolyn) a'r ffordd y caiff ei ddibynnu fel y unig ffordd y mae'r plentyn yn cael ei ganiatáu i gyfathrebu. (Yn seiliedig ar gydymffurfio).

Nawr mae cymaint o ffyrdd gwell o ddysgu sgiliau cyfathrebu i bobl! Pan wyddom yn well, dylem wneud yn well!

Is your child still using PECs?

Is your school or Speech therapist saying that you have to master PECs before being given an AAC device or support?

This is wrong and shouldn’t still be happening.

Symbols are not PECs. ❌
Symbols are good ✅

PECs is the way the symbols are used (the system) - it’s the way that it is taught (adult led) and the way it is relied on as the only way the child is allowed to communicate. (Compliance based).

Now there are so many better ways to teach people communication skills! When we know better, we should do better!

Follow Sensory Class for more communication ideas.

13/10/2025

We want your views on proposed changes to data about the additional learning needs (ALN) system in Wales.

13/10/2025

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Hydref yw mis ymwybyddiaeth AAC

Ydych chi'n gwybod beth yw AAC? Mae AAC yn sefyll am Gyfathrebu Atodol ac Amgen. Mae'n cyfeirio at offer a strategaethau sy'n cefnogi neu'n disodli siarad i bobl sydd â rhwystredigaethau cyfathrebu. Gall AAC fod heb gymorth (fel rhyfeddodau neu mynegiant wyneb) neu â chymorth (fel byrddau lluniau neu ddyfeisiau sy'n cynhyrchu llais).

Mae pobl nad ydynt yn siarad yn teimlo rhwystredig pan na glywir eu negeseuon, pan cânt eu camddeall, neu pan na roddir digon o amser iddynt ymateb. Yn ystod Mis Ymwybyddiaeth AAC hwn, ymunwch â ni i herio rhagdybiaethau ac archwilio'r nifer o ffyrdd y mae pobl yn cyfathrebu, gan gynnwys gyda AAC. Gadewch i ni ddathlu pob llais.

Byddwn yn rhannu postiadau a gwybodaeth gan Assistiveware, SmartBox a eraill dros y wythnosau nesaf.Rydym yn caru'r fideo hwn gan Assistiveware.

////

October is AAC awareness month.

Do you know what AAC is? AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. It refers to tools and strategies that support or replace speech for people with communication difficulties. AAC can be unaided (like gestures or facial expressions) or aided (like picture boards or speech-generating devices).

Nonspeaking people feel frustrated when their messages go unheard, are misunderstood, or when they are not given enough time to respond.

This AAC Awareness Month, join us in challenging assumptions and exploring the many ways people communicate, including with AAC. Let's celebrate all voices!

We will be sharing posts and information from Assistiveware, SmartBox and others over the next few weeks.

We love this video from AssistiveWare

https://youtu.be/jGpglhW7I54

Nonspeaking people may feel frustrated when their messages go unheard or misunderstood, or when they are not given enough time to respond.For AAC Awareness M...