Alanna O'Connor Speech and Language Therapist

19/01/2024

The one thing I don’t like about webinars is not being able to gauge the response of the participants! I live for the feedback the next day ☺️

26/10/2023

Sharing a great myth buster about communication aids (tech or paper based or sign) from

27/08/2023

Everyone using social media is using a form of

[Image description: Dark purple text on a lighter purple background says: “Social media, texting and tweeting are basically large scale socially accepted AAC systems” Beneath this it says Saoirse Tilton, AAC user. Further below this quote is a horizontal purple line broken with an illustration of a tablet with a bubble over it. Within the bubble are two chat boxes, one with a heart on it and a second heart and send icon. At the bottom on the left, small, in black, is text reading www dot assistiveware dot com above a row of social media app symbols, followed by text reading "".In the bottom right is the Assistiveware logo]

15/06/2023

Reading aloud to your child is a simple yet powerful way to build their language and literacy skills. Make it a daily habit!

31/05/2023

Learning multiple languages at once may cause a slight delay in language development, but it's worth it! Multilingual children can ultimately have better language skills.

20/05/2023

Rhyming and wordplay are fun ways to help children develop phonological awareness, a key skill for literacy!

17/05/2023

✨ Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia!!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Some people may think... "What's this got to do with speech therapy, Alanna? Stay in your lane!"⁣⁣
⁣⁣
But actually, as Speech and Language Therapists, we should see Pride and inclusivity as integral to our therapy. 🏳️‍🌈⁣
⁣⁣
We should be a safe space!⁣⁣
- We always talk about culturally appropriate topics/materials etc. but never consider the culture, interaction and dynamics within q***r spaces.⁣⁣
- Speech therapy is a vulnerable space. We work with people to be their authentic selves - this should include their gender and sexual identities. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Lots of Neurodivergent people are also LGBTQ+⁣⁣
- Did you know that in the LGBTQ+ community, there are higher rates of neurodiversities like autism, ADHD, dyslexia (and more!) compared to their cis-heterosexual counterparts?⁣⁣
- All of those things are also differences that mean you might need speech therapy at some stage in your life.⁣
- So chances are, we'll work with lots of LGBTQ+ people in our careers!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Communication in romantic relationships is communication! ⁣⁣
- And it's VERY important!⁣⁣
- Some of our most frequent communication partners are our immediate family and romantic partners! ⁣⁣
- So maybe functional goals include asking someone to go on a date! Or navigating arguments with a partner! Or online dating!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Language is about IDENTITY and CONNECTION⁣⁣
- I can't stress enough, how much this guides me. ⁣⁣
- We don't create our identities on or own, we create them with those around us. I may be the scatty daughter, but the reliable best friend. Both are true!⁣⁣
- So what about someone's gender and sexual orientation? How do we support someone to express embody, and communicate their identity best?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Voice therapy is a key gender-affirming service!⁣⁣
- Our voices say a lot about us. They can give so much information before we ever meet a person. Where we're from! Our gender! Our age!⁣⁣
- For trans and non-binary people, voice therapy allows them to have their voice reflect who they are!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
I know in college/uni most of us were taught to steer clear of 'sensitive' topics. But sensitive topics are where we find our authentic selves. So let's not be afraid to have these discussions, work on those goals, or advocate for that young person! 🏳️‍🌈

⁣⁣

17/05/2023

Language is the foundation of literacy! The more children hear and engage with language, the better their reading and writing skills will be.

06/05/2023

If your child is struggling with literacy skills, it could be a sign of underlying language difficulties. Early intervention is key!

10/01/2023

Webinar 5/5 completed with our Autism Series 🤩 Visual supports is one of my favourite topics - the staff tonight brought their A-game and shared so much of their own knowledge in the chat 😍

10/11/2022

Can't wait to tell you all about something that's been brewing for the last 6 months or so 📖 📚 👀

07/11/2022

It’s Christmas shopping time! 🎄🛒🛍️ Every year, people want to know what is the best toy to encourage their child’s language development… well here’s the answer from ! Summarising the existing research and packaging it up in an easy read format ✨🤩

03/11/2022

Next Monday we’re back again!! 💃🏼

Autism - Facilitating Social Skills

Date: Monday 7th November 2022

Time: 7 pm – 8 pm

Venue: Online via Zoom

How do I support their friendships? How about social skills? What can I do?

In this webinar, we will focus on embedding ethical, informed strategies to facilitate social skill development.

What will we cover?

Social skills and social communication
Development of social interaction – both typical and atypical

How best to facilitate and support your pupil – and when to not!

How to embed this into your day-to-day

Discussion on relevant issues in social skill interventions

This 60 minute session will be delivered by Alanna O’Connor, a Speech and Language Therapist with experience working with young people with autism and social communication disorders.

*People who have attended the mainstream module may find much of this content is familiar.

This webinar is suitable for SNAs, teachers and learning support teachers at primary and post-primary level.

Presenter Bio: Alanna O' Connor

Alanna O’Connor is a Kerry-based Speech and Language Therapist, who trained in the UK. In her time in Manchester, she worked based in a school and college, working alongside teachers to support students to meet their educational potential. Since returning to Ireland, she has worked with children and young people in clinic, home, and school environments. Last year, she delivered online training to over 1’000 education staff.

Alanna has worked with children and young people with autism spectrum disorder throughout her career. She has experience of diagnosing autism and providing intervention in home, clinics, and schools. Alanna works hard to take on board the opinions and feedback of autistic people, as well as providing neurodiversity-affirming support.

Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XOmVFZCTRYqeiqEhAzWKqQ

28/10/2022

👻🎃🧙‍♀️🐈‍⬛

CoughDrop has created these simple, printable Trick-or-Treat speech bracelets that can help even non-speaking candy-goers share their message.

27/10/2022

This is what it’s all about 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

What would you do if you couldn’t speak? How would you manage? Listen to all things you say today… it’ll be a lot more than you think!

The sad reality in Ireland is that training, experience, and funding, would all decide what kind of access you have to Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
- Whether they’re tech or paper based!
- Whether you get any at all!
- Whether the people around you know how to use it or not!

😯If AAC didn’t exist you wouldn’t be reading this post!😯

Let me explain…

🌍🗣️I wouldn’t be able to express myself and interact with the world around me without AAC!

📆Augmentative and Alternative Communication has given me a voice since the age of 4.

💭AAC includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas.

In my case, I've always gravitated towards Tobii Dynavox AAC devices.

I got my first Tobii Dynavox AAC device when I was 4 years old. I used two head switches to control a Dynavox 3100. This device opened up a whole new world for me!

As the years went on, I went through a variety of other Tobii Dynavox devices still using my head to navigate. Sometimes using my head to type was exhausting, especially when I had to complete Math exams or 5000 words papers for school.

🎓When I entered College, I got my first eye-tracking device and my whole world changed.

🗣️I could now type sentences in a fraction of the time and join in on active conversations!

⌛I timed myself spelling “I love green” using my head switches compared to using my eye tracking device. These were the results:

🟡😀🔴Head switches: 1 minute 8 seconds

👀Eye tracking device: 12 seconds

AAC is constantly improving and expanding possibilities! I’m so thankful to be living in a time where technology is thriving and constantly helping me live my best life!

“Live your best life” is our slogan at All Access Life. Danny and I are on a mission to empower people with disabilities by connecting them to assistive technologies and adaptive products.

Find out more: www.allaccesslife.org

Happy Augmentative and Alternative Communication Month everyone!

21/10/2022

For anyone with a Mr Tumble fan at home, we’ve got our own, signing kids TV show coming to RTE Junior 😍

19/10/2022

Good looking 👀
Good listening 👂🏻
Quiet hands 🤲🏻

✨ What if busy hands is the best way ✨