#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 !!! .

[shepandem]

Transcript: "I have just been reading papers about how AAC is a second language, because of how it is learned, and because it has its own grammar and structure, also because it is part of a unique culture just like ASL is its own language with its own culture.

So congratulations to all my fellow second language learners. You are awesome!"

[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.

[measlyfurball13]

I'm Still Here

Summary: Curly is rescued. He is given a voice. Supposedly.

---

It’s all a blur. Men in suits with helmets. Men in suits without. Any memories Curly might have of the rescue and its aftermath are blurred around the edges. He’s sure he drooled and screamed all through the process.

Funny. He doesn’t remember the pain. It’s as if his mind has painted over it in an easier color on the eyes. 

(He remembers her saying the same thing happens after childbirth-)

It’s only a few hours after the IV is jammed into his arm that reality crisps up again. He’s staring into the face of a nurse. The nurse is a he, and a different skin tone (than him) and utterly unrecognizable. That’s the first clue.

The second is the woman in the crisp suit. A lawyer, supposedly. Civil servant. Looking over him and sighing. Another woman enters and they discuss conservatorship. Curly doesn’t know what this means. He’s never had to worry about it. He grunts, even tries to form his lips into the shape of something, but nothing makes them turn to him and clue him in on anything. 

Next comes someone dressed in a slouched sweater pulling a cart. They’re setting up some sort of device around him. It takes several days though, and in the moments between the lawyer comes back, mutters a few things about an accident investigation, then disappears again.

The nurse usually doesn’t talk when he visits but one time he sits down in the chair across the room and solemnly says that both of Curly’s parents died in the time it took for the rescue team to find him and that his next of kin is a cousin. Cousin Sue, Curly guesses. She lived all the way in New York. 

The machine is completed. A screen hangs above his hospital bed. The person in the slouched sweater instructs him to look at the twenty-six letters on the screen, focus on the one he wants, and blink to select it. 

It takes him three hours to first produce the word “HELLO.” 

“Practice and you’ll get the hang of it.” Slouched sweater says.

Slouched sweater leaves. The nurse comes in. Moves the screen. Changes his bandages. Sets up the screen again. Leaves just before Curly can type “HELLO” to him. 

(A single word. A single word. He would have given anything for just a single word to her.)

Now the lawyer drags the chair beside his bed and sits down. She’s holding a notepad and a pen. 

“Tell me,” she says, slowly, “what happened aboard the Tulpar.” 

He forgets to breathe. 

“What,” she says, “caused,” she says, “the accident?” 

Words pierce his brain like knives, his eye darts around the keyboard and his eyelid can’t keep up and it blinks without his command. Letters spill across the screen and he’s having to backspace them and-

The lawyer has put down the notepad and has opened her phone. She’s texting someone else. Then she takes a call. Then she answers some emails. 

-Curly finally blinks ‘send’ on the console, and a tinny voice reads out “JIMMY.” 

“Hmm?” The lawyer looks up from her phone. “Jimmy? As in, your co-pilot?” 

“Y” Curly sends, hoping that the lawyer can at least wrap her head around something as simple as that.

“Go on.” The lawyer urges.

Curly exhales against his bandages, and types “E” and “S”. 

“What about him?” 

“K”. Then “I”. “L” and “L”, the lawyer is pulling out her phone again. His eye hurts, it’s refusing to move at all now and this dumb bitch isn’t-

He flinches. God, he’s so sorry. He’s so sorry and she deserved none of this and maybe if he’d been a better man and not a goddamned coward and taken some responsibility then maybe she’d be listening to him right now instead.

The lawyer glances up from her phone. “Yes, Jimmy was found deceased. Your cryo pod was the only one functioning. It seems he gave up his spot for you. My condolences for your loss.” 

Something more burning than the fire rips through his stomach and he forces his eye back onto the screen. “E” and “D”, then space, then “E”, then “V”, “E” and “R”, “Y”, his vision is wavering, “O”, “N”, he can practically feel his non-existent hand tapping on the screen to finish the job, “E”. . .

His eyelid slams shut. He can tell, vaguely, that his cheek bandages are damp but whether that’s normal or from anything spilling out of his eye is beyond him. His neck twitches from the strain. 

He coughs. Forces his eye open. The lawyer looks at the screen. Looks back down at her phone. Looks at the screen again. Her eyebrows raise. 

“Are you sure?” She asks.

Of course I’m fucking sure! he could shout and shake her shoulders. 

“This was not the fault of Pony Express or its parent corporation?” 

“N”, then “O”, and now she’s actually paying attention. Something hungry lights up in her eyes, and she takes a picture of the screen and then starts furiously scribbling on her notepad. 

—

“-in this room right here, ma’am.” The nurse opens the door.

Curly looks over. Following the nurse is Cousin Sue, her blond locks he remembers now turned more platinum. She stops in the doorway and covers her mouth with her hands. 

“Were you not warned?” The nurse asks her.

She ignores him, running over by the bedside. “Oh you poor thing!” 

Curly tries to flick his eyes towards the screen, only for liquid lightning to pour into all his senses when she grabs the stump of his left arm. He chokes on air. The burning sensation lingers even as she jerks her hand away. 

“Take it easy, ma’am.” The nurse says.

“Why was it wet?” She mutters and shakes out her hand.

“Some leakage from blisters beneath the bandages. He’s okay. Try to be gentle.” 

“God. It’s horrific. I can hardly. . .”

The nurse drags her over a chair as if she might collapse any minute. Curly’s nerve endings are still on fire. She still hasn’t made eye contact with him. 

“H”, he types. “I”. Blinks to send. “HI.” 

“Hi.” She echoes. “He said hi.”

“The law firm hooked him up. That’s how we know the full story.”

It wasn’t the full story. It was the story told in simple enough words that the lawyer would stay awake while he typed. 

“God. What happened was. . . so terrible.” Sue covers her mouth. “I’m sure he did everything he could.” 

“I’ll leave you two alone now.” The nurse steps back.

The door clicks shut. Sue’s watery eyes rake up and down his frame. 

“It’s all that bastard’s fault, isn’t it? And to think you even invited him to a family reunion or two. I remember that.” 

Curly looks to the “N”. Blinks. Looks to the “O”. Blinks. Erases both. Blinks an “M”. Then a “Y”. Space. “F”. “A-”

“Disgusting man. Letting you get like this. I’m sorry about the rest of the crew as well, of course. At least they got the easy way out of things. . .” 

Curly stares at the wall behind the screen. Something inside his throat trembles. 

“What’s going on? Do you need something? Water? Water perhaps?” 

Sue looks around her before spotting the sink across the room. She grabs a cup from the nearby dispenser and fills it. Then she returns to his bedside, standing over him and then there’s his fingers on his chin opening his mouth and-

He gags. He sobs. Something wet splashes against the inside of his mouth (it’s blood it’s blood it’s blood) and nausea plays a soaring note above the chorus. 

He becomes nothing but a shivering pile of meat for a little. It’s more comfortable that way rather than trying to think. And when he opens his eyes again, Sue is gone. 

—

Curly knows there isn’t much time left. When Sue came back she talked about a private care home, and if there’s even a chance of the screen not coming with then he can’t risk it. He’s started typing only when there’s no one around to read it. It’s easier that way.

Sue and the nurse come in. They’re discussing something but Curly can hardly hear them until the nurse puts his hand on the swivel holding up the screen. Curly’s pulse lights up, and before anyone else can even breathe he blinks “send” on the console. 

The tinny voice reads each syllable as if it were reporting the weather. 

“I’M SORRY SWANSEA.”

“I’M SORRY DAISUKE.”

“ANYA. I’M SORRY. MY FAULT.” 

“I SHOULD HAVE LISTENED. DEAD PIXEL. INSTEAD OF THE BIG PICTURE.” 

Curly lets his eye droop down from the screen. 

“. . . what was all that?” Sue asks. 

The nurse comes over to his bedside. “Are you feeling alright?”

Curly doesn’t look at him. Doesn’t need to. 

All the words he could possibly offer are jammed. Like logs against the rocks beneath the water of the river he grew up by as a kid. Or traffic in the big city he moved to after moving out. Or a key in the wrong keyhole. (Or pills in his throat.)

All of these pictures he could paint. The only people who would find it worth the wait are all dead. Somehow Jimmy is among them. 

Damn it all. Curly stares at the ceiling. The nurse takes down the screen and then manhandles him into a wheelchair.

[meeb-motes]

hi there! could i possibly have an emoji with the words "je t'aime" ("i love you" in french)? its alright if not though! the exact details are up to you, eg the pose etc. im not picky lol

- @cloverstarsys (i love your emojis btw!!!)

Je T`aime emojis !

Requests are open !

-F2/🍁

[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.

Plenty of terms can be used to refer to shutdowns and similar experiences. Losing words, losing speech, speech loss, speech loss episode, verbal shutdown, verbal crash...

Selective/situational mutism is often used interchangeably with shutdown, which is an incorrect usage. SM is a diagnosable anxiety disorder which causes the person an inability to speak in specific social situations, specific places, or to specific people if a certain condition is triggered.

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.

[cripplecharacters]

I have a non-verbal character who primarily communicates via sign and often uses AAC as well. I have heard using italics isn’t great because it others the character. I have a question about formatting dialogue, though.

My plan is to use “said” when they are using AAC, for example:

“We’ve got to catch the afternoon ferry,” he said.

And “signed” for when he’s signing:

“Otherwise we won’t get there on time,” they signed.

To differentiate between the two ways he’s communicating. However I wonder if I should just use “said” no matter what, since maybe “signed” is still othering. And if there’s actually any value to differentiating or if just over complicating.

Hi!

You can use the “said” tag for both. In general, “said” is a good multipurpose tag for any form of communication.

Unless there is a specific reason why it matters that he is signing or using his AAC device, it doesn’t need to come up every single time, once the audience knows what communication methods he uses.

If do you want to clarify what type of communication a character is using, you can use the “signed” tag or say something about their AAC device, as examples. (I am assuming when you say AAC you mean your character uses a high-tech AAC device; sign is also a form of AAC!)

“Signed” isn’t necessarily a word to always avoid, it’s just unnecessary to use repeatedly, especially after establishing that a character does sign.

Mod Rock

[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

[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 💚

[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 :)

[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. 🤍

[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 !

[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.

[meeb-motes]

Póg Mo Thóin emojis

Póg Mo Thóin = Kiss my ass in Irish Gaelic

requests are open !!!

-F2/🍁