#aac language

[autisticdreamdrop]

no Bug do not have to use full proper grammar to use AAC. AAC communication should be considered an other language?? maybe. Bug think the way they communicate with AAC and TTS is Modified English. just like how in our system we use modified ASL to communicate as well. so what if bug say: "hungry. food. please?" instead of "hey i am hungry. can you make me food please?" there's nothing wrong with speaking with less words!! no AAC user should have to bend to neurotypicals that want AAC users to use full long sentences.. it dumb!!

[tontoemojis]

some ASL that I did recently !!! .

[k9emote]

FRISK ASL EMOTES

Someone needs to remind me to upload these on Tumblr and not just my discord server

"Hi"

"Bye"

"I"

"Me"

"My"

"You"

"Your"

"You're"

Flapping Stim (neutral)

Flapping Stim (smiling)

[forest-dwelling-abomination]

You know, wild thought, I don’t think that people with speech/communication based disabilities should have to *pay* to make themselves understood. I don’t think that you should be able to charge people 100 dollars for something they *require* to communicate with people and make themselves heard. That’s some bullshit.

Matter of fact, I don’t think anyone should have to pay to exist just because they’re disabled. To go *even* further, I don’t think anyone in general should have to pay to exist. Clean water, food, and shelter should be a right and not a privilege.

Also, sign language should be taught in school. I feel it would do us a lot more good that a couple years of spanish, that you then promptly forget, ever will.

[spooksforsammy]

Once again. AAC not the answer to every communication problem. It doesn’t work for everybody!

Not everyone has functional communication. They can’t say their needs. Their wants. What’s wrong. If hurt or sick or feeling certain way. Not everyone can communicate.

Not everyone understands they can Have a voice. That people will care. That’s there’s a way. They don’t understand the people around them are real. That there’s other actual people around. Not everyone can communicate.

Still give them the tools! Still give them speech generated device or text to speech or picture cards or yes/no board. Still give them the option! But also understand.

Not everyone can communicate

[cripplecharacters]

I have a character in a non-Earth fantasy setting who's is a ball jointed doll made living, but not human, so she didn't get magic'd new organs and stuff. The character can communicate intelligently but does not have human bodily functions, like breathing, eating, and more relevantly the ability to produce sound (since she doesn't have a voice box to begin with). I was considering she communicate in a type of sign language (I'm still deciding on what), but the character does not have a tongue and I'm concerned if it's essential for mouthing. Within the "rules" of her animation, she can flex her fingers, move wrists, and shape her mouth, but it's just the tongue (or the lack of it) that I'm worried could be a problem.

I know that no two sign languages are exactly the same, so I'm aware the rules can be different between languages. Since I haven't decided on the sign language she speaks, I'm open to hear y'all guys' thoughts and others'.

Hello,

So, having a tongue is not essential to mouthing a word, but lip-reading is barely a viable form of communication. Even people who are good at reading lips can only accurately figure out what's being said around seventy percent of the time. Sure, it's better than nothing if she absolutely needs to, but it's probably one of the hardest options she has for communicating.

Sign language would be great. You can choose whatever one you want, or you can give her some alien sign language, or she could use home sign, which is sign language created by those who can't speak for whatever reason but who also haven't been able to learn an official sign language for whatever reason. It would be effective, though she may encounter people who don't understand sign language.

Then there's the option of her using some sort of text-to-speech or augmentative and alternative communication. Those take a little longer as she needs to type out her thoughts, but they're also viable options to help her communicate with others, especially if your setting is some kind of science fiction.

I don't know how you would describe someone reading her lips unless it was from her perspective, but sign language and text-to-speech or augmentative and alternative communication can be written almost as dialogue. Here are a few examples.

"Excuse me?" Character's hands moved harshly and fast, her fury obvious.

Character's face lit up with an idea and she looked down at her tablet, plastic fingers clicking on the screen as the others waited for her to finish. "I have an idea, I think I know how to fix this."

She can also have someone translating for her sign language, in which case; "I'm not a decoration, you know," Other Character said, making sure to verbalize the sarcastic drawl in Character's signs. "I do occasionally have a good idea. Maybe even a great one."

I think the concept of her sounds pretty cool, by the way.

Mod Aaron

[d3lusi0nal-d33r]

i love everyone who has difficulty speaking

people who stutter, who need extra patience when gathering their thoughts

people who have low verbality and use minimal words.

people who's voice comes from AAC, sign or any other forms of communication

i love u all, and u deserve care and patience 💚

[spectrumgarden]

Laying in bed sick thinking about how theres a learning curve in interacting with me, even just communication. And how because I mainly interact with my caretaker, who's my mother, and then other people in my family like my sister and her husband, or maybe my therapist, I dont really experience this learning curve a lot usually. Because they all got used to it long ago.

They know that when I'm pointing to something after a question it's likely to answer it, even if the connection isnt immediately obvious. "Do you want to eat?" If I point to the clock. It means more time, it means later. They understand this. Others dont. That when I'm pointing to something without you asking a question, it's to get your attention on something that needs an action from you, or asking if it needs an action on my side (generally). No, I'm not pointing at the window to show u something going on outside like that cloud or that bird, I'm pointing at the window to ask if it's okay to leave open. Etc.

I not only point, I also gesture, a lot. Other people understand my gestures for maybe, for here, for there, but the rest? Not usually. I stand in the room and gesture the movement scissors make with my fingers. I'm asking where the scissors are. Ask if I want to eat, and I tap my wrist twice on the outside. It means later, because that's where people wear wristwatches, and it means time, it means later. They dont understand it, my mother does.

That when I communicate in one word "sentences", I cant ask questions the normal way. I cant say "how long?" "Whats wrong?" Etc Because that's two words. Now if I only do the question word (how, what, when, ...) then my question will literally not make sense. How what ? So I have to simply say "long". And you have to understand that this is me asking a question, even if my tone might not be the best. I say "long" and I'm asking, how long does this food take until it's done? I'm not randomly saying a word. It means something.

It's all very context heavy communication in ways that average communication isnt, so people arent used to it. They're not used to piecing together gestures and one word sentences and their environment and their own previous statements. They can learn how to do it, usually... but it takes time.

And it's hard to describe how incredibly frustrating it is as a disabled person with communication difficulties to go from a environment of people who mostly understand your style of communication to one where people dont, and being forced to use AAC constantly despite it being incredibly exhausting mentally and taking long as fuck, just to be understood at a baseline level.

[positivelyqueer]

Language, understanding and use of, very complicated and multifaceted. Some people know complicated words and jargon, struggle with sentence structure and grammar. Some people few spoken vocabulary words, abundant AAC language. Some people speak very fluently, struggle with writing and reading. Some people limited words and memory, new words have to replace old words. Some people can communicate on par with others but it takes more effort or concentration. Some people variable language understanding and use. Some people no language at all, only pictures and ideas. All good and important. Not all people have language skills as you expect them. Be kind to yourself :)

[gwydion-aacblog]

why is people obsess with idea " just use AI " to make fix words when have language disability ? language disabilities look different in everyone .

sometimes what say , is not exactly what mean , and maybe not even realise . sometimes have so little grammar to work with , that no , machine can not do anything useful , and same words in same order can mean different things . sometimes what say have great grammar , but still can not understand because disconnect in what want and what really do communicate .

also , really ? think should force people with language disability to go through extra step that remind , every time , how no one respect what say unless look right ? think that really better than people without language disability just learn be patient and kind ?

AI not some magic tool , much less one that should use so can pretend disability not exist . AI is machine fill out patterns , not mind reader magic fix . stop fucking suggest use AI to make words look right , would not even if could , because fuck off .

[pixierainbows]

Pixie have question for all people what use any kind of AAC since childhood .

want to know if used AAC to “babble “ , Like babies do . if it help to play with AAC device, if help with learning to communicate . or , If use for stimming .

and if persons think any of That help with learning to communicate with AAC device later .

Pixie say thank you to everybody what answer or reblog very appreciate !

[themogaidragon]

Verbal Stance And Disability Pride Flags

PT: Verbal Stance And Disability Pride Flags /end PT

Nonverbal

PT: Nonverbal /end PT

Nonverbal: extremely severely to profoundly struggling to verbalise, total inability to use verbalization, ever, or nearly total inability to verbalise, inability to verbalise more than a few utterances, words, part of phrases, etc. Might entirely rely on AAC.

Original nonverbal flag by @pupyzu. Original post here (link).

Semiverbal

PT: Semiverbal /end PT

Semiverbal: moderately to severely struggling to or being hardly able to verbalise most to all of the time. This includes frequently or consistently: taking awhile to formulate verbalization, having a restricted, limited verbalization, etc. Only verbalising in specific circumstances, familiar situations, about familiar topics or for specific purposes, etc. Being mostly/fully able to verbalise but struggling significantly to do so, etc. Having shortened, partial, repetitive, misplaced, forgotten, garbled, incorrect, mashed-up, inintelligible, made-up verbalization, etc. Might predominately to drastically rely on AAC.

Original semiverbal flag by @pupyzu. Original post here (link).

Hemiverbalflux

PT: Hemiverbalflux /end PT

Hemiverbalflux: variably struggling to verbalise, from mildly, moderately to severely. Verbalization fluctuating in intensity but always within the borders of semiverbal and demiverbal. Struggles with verbalization vary in intensity, sometimes severe, unable to form coherent verbalization or to verbalise without extreme difficulty for weeks to sometimes mild, able to verbalise well, reliably for a few days, etc. Verbalization loss vary in length, frequency, sometimes being a few times a month or week, to every day. Lasting for a few minutes or hours, to days, happening often or over long periods. Fluctuations can be random or have causes. Hemiverbal can also be used on its own as a separate term to mean bordering/being somewhere between semiverbal and demiverbal. Might regularly to mostly rely on AAC.

Original hemiverbalflux term and flag by @jet-voidrock. Original post here (link).

Demiverbal

PT: Demiverbal /end PT

Demiverbal: mildly struggling to verbalise, half of the time, most of the time, to all of the time. Verbalization loss might happen anywhere from a multiple times a day, to a few times a month. Possibly for no apparent reason, a mix of reasons or a variety of reasons. May experience slight difficulty only a little of the time, half of the time, to all of the time with speaking, articulating, complex language usage, forming concepts, etc. Might mildly to regularly rely on AAC.

Original demiverbal flag by @lilqu33rboi. Original post here (link).

Verbalflux

PT: Verbalflux /end PT

Verbalflux: variably struggling to verbalise. Being able to verbalise, fluctuating at any intensity, difficulty, length, frequency and at any given time. Struggles and inability to use verbalization vary in intensity, length and frequency. Fluctuations can be random or have causes and can happen often or over long periods of time. Might periodically rely on AAC.

Original verbalflux flag by @pupyzu. Original post here (link).

Choiceverbal

PT: Choiceverbal /end PT

Choiceverbal: willingly not using verbalization, being able to verbalise (fullverbal, demiverbal, semiverbal, majorityverbal...), but choosing not to verbalise much or at all. Can be for any reason, including but not limited to: Being uncomfortable or disliking verbalising, being verbal-adverse, lack of understanding of social cues, etc. Might partially or entirely use intentionally AAC.

Term coined by @schizophrenicbulbasaur in this post (link). Original choiceverbal flag by @lilqu33rboi. Original post here (link).

Fullverbal

PT: Fullverbal /end PT

Fullverbal: being fully able to verbalise fluently and effectively, across a wide range of contexts. Having the ability to construct complete, grammatically correct verbalization, engage in complex conversations about various topics, etc. Demonstrating good control over vocabulary, tone, speech, pace and conversational nuances, permitting to express a broad spectrum of thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Might hardly ever rely on AAC.

Original verbal flag by @pupyzu. Original post here (link).

Hyperverbal

PT: Hyperverbal /end PT

Hyperverbal: being fully able to verbalise and, whether by choice or on accident, exhibiting an excessive or unusually high level of verbalization. Verbalising at length and with great detail about various topics, often dominating conversations. This can include rapid verbalization, above average verbal capacities, advanced vocabulary, logorrhea, frequent interruptions, an overwhelming amount of information shared, etc. Might have the ability to engage in discussions on multiple subjects, but communication can sometimes be overwhelming for others and may lack focus or relevance to the ongoing conversation. Might hardly ever rely on AAC.

Original hyperverbal flag by @pupyzu. Original post here (link).

Additional Informations

PT: Additional Informations /end PT

Verbal stances are descriptive of everyday reality, they shouldn't be used to describe verbality during brief, unusual circumstances (ex: short-lived shutdown, panic attack, aphasia, etc). Refering a small verbal loss episode as going nonverbal, refering a transient aphasia as going semiverbal, and similar misusage, is improper and incorrect. Verbality can change during a lifetime for a lot of reasons but is qualifying long-term, long lasting verbality. If verbalization fluctuates a lot, verbalflux might be used.

I've made the definitions by combining multiple definitions I've seen over internet since I struggle to formulate working on my own. They aren't carved in stone, just an attempt to define those. Even though AAC usage and verbality usually coincide, it's not always the case, ence why I've putted 'might' use AAC.

Most people don't make the distinction between -verbal and -speaking stances while some might make a distinction. In that particular case, -verbal would describe language ability, while -speaking would describe speech abiliy. For example, nonverbal would mean not having language whereas nonspeaking would refer to the inability to use speech to communicate. Considering that an overwhelming majority of people don't make distinctions and that terms exist to describe the verbality components distinctively, I've chosen not to do such distinctions in this post and use the broad term of verbality.

Descriptives of verbality components:

-lexic refers to the ability to use, comprehend, process language (link), while -speaking refers to the usage of speech and -vocal refers to a system's headmate verbality (link), whereas -scribal refer to the ability to produce written or typed language, whilst -communicative refers to the ability to communicate.

It's up to the individual (or close relatives when the individual isn't able to do that by themselves) to choose how they wish to identify, according to their preferences, what fits the best, what is more practical, etc. It is a personal preference.

I've made these flags since the original designs all have a solid white infinity symbol on them, which problematic since it's already a the recognised symbol for Métis (link) and also confusing since these terms aren't exclusive to neurodivergent people.

[perplexingluciddreams]

Recently it occurred to me that when I want to show Mum something, I can take a video on my phone and send it!

Ever since I had the realisation that I can use WhatsApp or text messages to tell Mum things, I have been able to say so much more to her. And now I can add videos to the collection of communication options!

Of course it still does not always occur to me that I have the opportunity to communicate, at all. Some days I forget I can reach other people at all. I am so far deep in my own world that I don't have this awareness. And I most often simply don't have the words, therefore can't say anything at all even if I want to.

But I am so proud of the improvement I have made! My new AAC also helps a lot, very much. And thank goodness for WhatsApp existence!!

Words never stop being hard - it is a constant fight to get anything out, and an uphill battle to hold onto the skills I have in this area, to not lose it to regression. But I fight and fight and fight. And keep on fighting.

[k9emote]

question!! i see you mentioning AAC on a few posts, what does that mean? is it a form of communication?

HELLO ! SO GLAD YOU ASKED

TERM: AAC stands for Augmentative & Alternative Communication. This terms includes ANY form of communication that isn't simple verbal speaking

FORMS: Some use devices where they press buttons or type something out and it says it out loud for them, some write on paper, and some use sign language (Us!!!)

these ^^^ are only a few examples !

Most commonly the people who use AAC are those who struggle with any form of expression or speaking. This could be medically mute, selectively mute, autistic, overstimulated individuals, anyone ! AAC is for anybody who wants/needs a different form of communication. 🤍

[plural-affirmations]

Here's to headmates who talk differently than the rest of the system!

Not everyone has distinct voices amongst system members, but there are plenty of people who do! Here's to them!

Shoutout to:

Headmates with regional accents (New Jersey, Canadian, Cockney etc.)

Sysmates with neurodivergency/disability/cultural accents (flat affect, Deaf accents, dysarthria, etc.)

People with first language accents when speaking their second/other language (Spanish accent when speaking English, etc.)

The ones with speech disorders, lisps, stutters, slurs, etc.

Those who are semi-verbal, hyperverbal, etc.

Those who use AAC boards, a sign language, etc.

And anyone else who just has an uncommon or unique way of communication!

We think it's absolutely lovely to have such a diverse way of being able to connect with others! Please don't let anyone ever shame you or make you feel bad for the way you talk to others, you're wonderful as-is!

🖤💜💙💚💛

[salvadorbonaparte]

Any autistic people here who use Makaton or Sign Language or any kind of AAC?

My landlady's grandson is autistic and non-verbal and his family isn't really dealing with it well. I'm also autistic (they don't know that) but don't use any of these but I think he could benefit from something like this and I want to suggest it to the family.

I don't want to seem like I'm just some stranger telling them what to do with their kid but I want to help him. So I'm trying to do some more research.

Do any of you have experience using these? How do you feel about it?