Chickadee AAC Communication Services

23/06/2025

As SLPs, we need to respond to parents’ emotions, concerns, and questions when considering AAC as an option for complex communicators.

In order for AAC to be successful in all environments, educating parents to facilitate their communication partner skills to effectively support their child’s language growth is essential.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts on the challenges school-based SLPs encounter with connecting school and home supports given their caseload size and their scope of practice.

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20/06/2025

This morning, while drinking my coffee, I saw a commercial. It was for some insurance company.

Perfect family, house and kids. The oldest graduating from high school.

The tag line said something like...”these are the moments we prepare for. The only moments that matter.”

I’ve been thinking about it all day. My mind keeps going back to it.

The only moments that matter...

First day of school. Getting a drivers license. Graduation. A college acceptance letter. First job. A promotion, Marriage. Babies. Retirement.

But what if a person doesn’t achieve those moments? Does their life not matter?

My son is on a different path. His own really. He was diagnosed with a disability when he was 3 years old. The certains that we thought were promised vanished. And everything changed.

Where is the commercial for his life? For his moments?

He will most likely do most of those ‘big things.’ And that’s ok. Because he is still going to have an amazing life.

Our commercial would be about the transition from therapy to adulthood, finding a day program, taking public transportation, volunteering, becoming an uncle, guardianship and someday transitioning to a group home. Those will be our big moments. And I’ll tell you this...they are not sad. They matter.

We have other moments too. Ones that will never make anyone's 'amazing moments' list.

Last night he had his best night. Ever.

He asked me to sing the Itsy Bitsy spider and moved his fingers up the imaginary web. He ate a whole plate of spaghetti with a fork. Drank water from a cup without spilling.

He said his brother’s name so clearly, so perfectly, it took my breath away. He did a puzzle all by himself. He blew me a kiss when he went upstairs for bed. And when I went to tuck him in, he rubbed his finger across his teeth, reminding me that I forgot to brush his teeth. As if saying, 'silly mama.'

I sat down after telling him I loved him and thought...this is it. He’s doing it. He’s doing all that things I dreamed of. These are the moments I prayed for.

His moments matter too. Even if they don't measure up to the world's version of what matters.

Don’t ever let anyone tell you they don’t. Because they do.

His commercial would be breathtaking if you ask me.

A boy, a teen, a man…surrounded by love.

Thank you for being here. Want more of our secret world? Join: https://www.facebook.com/becomesupporter/772295979579532/

Follow me Finding Cooper's Voice. ❤️❤️

Photo: Cooper at his adaptive day camp with his friend.

19/06/2025

Now I’m not saying high tech is the answer for every child who needs a means to communicate, but if it is an appropriate option, you may get pushback from parents who have valid concerns.

Our role as SLPs is to educate and help parents come to a decision on a support system that they feel comfortable with and is effective for their child.

30/05/2025

🚨We are so excited to be partnering with .aac and to bring you a workshop that will help you to become a MASTER modeler! Through a range of thoughtfully designed INTERACTIVE activities, Educational Assistants will concentrate on modeling AAC all throughout the school day! You can find more information on our website www.oarc.ca 🚨Spots are limited so REGISTER TODAY!

18/05/2025

Fellow SLPs, let’s celebrate! 🙌🏼
Our work is challenging,
but nothing feels better than
achieving the spark of connection! ✨

07/05/2025

Did you know? “Partial day” means repeatedly dismissing children from school with no access to education, an issue becoming increasingly prevalent nationwide. ICYMI: this is a great watch for parents and educators.

Accompanying the release of our joint report on partial day school attendance, we held a webinar with leaders and families with lived experience to raise awareness, hear their stories, and discuss advocacy efforts.

Watch the webinar on our new website, under our Resources section:
📺 https://www.inclusiveeducation.ca/iec-resource?view=416ba37f-5701-4414-95f7-0842dbd4111f

01/05/2025

Let’s CELEBRATE!!

31/03/2025

27/03/2025

🐛Coming Soon: New Look, Same Great Words! 🦋
Nothing’s changed yet, but soon you’ll see a fresh new icon for LAMP Words for Life.
That’s it… Just the icon.
Everything else you love about the app will stay exactly the same.
So when you see the update in the next week or so, you’ll already know:
New Look + Same Great LAMP WFL 💚 🩵 🩶

🚨50% Off App: April 24-May 7, 2025🚨

25/03/2025

Yesssss!!!!

📢 Communication is Learning! 🧠💬

Check out this SmartBoard setup! On one side: TD Snap AAC software. On the other: a Unique Learning System (ULS) lesson. This is what inclusive education looks like—AAC isn’t a separate activity or a center, it’s how we support communication while students are learning math, science, literacy, and more.

When we embed AAC into everyday instruction, we show our students that communication is a natural part of learning, thinking, and engaging with the world. Let’s make AAC an active part of the classroom, not just a side lesson! 🌟

25/03/2025

Awesome resource!!!

Ace Centre recently became the home for the newly created AAC Language Library, a collaborative online resource designed to support AAC users by providing and sharing communication materials in languages other than English!

Developed by professionals across NHSE Specialised AAC Services, this free library aims to improve accessibility and equity for diverse language needs, making it easier for professionals to find high-quality AAC resources.

Read more and access the Library here: https://buff.ly/Wg9xEhh

17/02/2025

I’ve had many clients who have come to me who have been working on their oral motor and speech skills for years!

During that time they still haven’t acquired an effective means of communication and they have not had the opportunity to develop language skills.

My message to families is that I will not focus solely on speech without introducing some form of AAC.

It is not fair to the child, who has been trying so hard to speak, and continues to struggle with speech. I will not implement a treatment approach without giving that child access to language and a means of communication!

It doesn’t mean I’ve given up on speech, it means I want MORE for them - I’ll always advocate for COMMUNICATION!

Have you experienced these cases?
Were you able to guide the family to try a multi-modal approach to communication?