#aac user

[twiiflowerzz]

this is how it feels wanting to listen to music but needing to have your aac on speaker btw

[blog-of-atlas]

Got a question for nonverbal autists:

How does it feel when you try to speak but can’t? Or how do I have to Imagine that in general?

I sometimes lose the ability to speak and for me it feels like being choked.

[rawr-systemotes]

just a reminder

any aids of any sort from speech aids to mobility aids to whatever aids you need are allowed

no matter how “bad” your situation is or isn’t if it will help you in some capacity you’re allowed to use it

even if you use it rarely

even if you look completely abled aside from your aids

even if you’re plus size

even if your disability is “your fault”

No matter WHAT it’s allowed, ok, and encouraged

have a wonderful day friends, take care of yourselves!!

/gen

[vixdesl]

"woah this post looks creepy who would like this??"

it's not for you

"this art piece makes no sense and is so ugly"

it's not for you

"this post is so weird I have never thought like that?"

it's not for you

"what they identify as an animal? no one does that?"

it's not for you

the world doesn't revolve around you

neither does the internet.

we exist, cringe culture is dead, fuck normality

[stories-by-starlight]

Shout-out this stranger met for while recent, who saw we were AAC user and for whole time:

• made sure we not talked over in conversation

• stopped others from skip over us, and didn’t let them rush us either

• said any words AAC was say wrong verbally for us after we express frustration with that

• didn’t touch our device once or look at screen while using AAC (they were only person who didn’t)

• made sure we comfortable and accommodated whole time was with them

And don’t think any this was even big deal to them. This was first time they even saw AAC, but they still made sure were accommodated for it. Don’t think they realize how much meant to us, and it meant everything to us. To be include and supported so much by total stranger who we would never see again.

Gave us lot hope. Fact that there people like that out there. And wanted put all thoughts that couldn’t put into words when with person here.

Want other AAC users know that there people like that out there, and that there hope.

Edit: Notice this post a lot of people’s first time hear about AAC, want be clear that this person only start say words out loud for us after we made clear that that was something we okay with. Please don’t assume other AAC users want others correct words AAC pronounce different, because many don’t. Every AAC user different person with different preference, please don’t take ours as universal rule.

[chrome-barkz-aac]

i made this instagram post !!! there isn't as big of a community of AAC users on instagram so I thought I would share this on my instagram (@cytochromesea).

EDIT: i got an ask that states that not everyone knows what AAC is which is an oversight on my part, it stands for alternative and augmentative communication!

Image ID:

A light blue background with a rainbow and a cloud and some stars. There is a blue border collie with wings holding an aac tablet that says I love you! Text reads: AAC etiquette. Do’s, Don’ts, and other stuff. By cytochrome sea.

The same background appears in every following slide. Text reads:

AAC is my voice! It is not a toy or accessory

Don’t touch my AAC without my permission

Don’t take my AAC away from me, for any reason (joke, punishment, etc)

Don’t press buttons randomly or flip through my communication cards without permission

How would you like it if I randomly poked you on the mouth and throat (or on your hands if you sign)? It would be unpleasant, so don’t do that to me

Some AAC users can speak sometimes. It is not your business why someone can or cannot talk

Don’t ask questions about why an AAC user cannot speak. 

Do let us communicate however is best for us in that moment

Don’t ask us if or when we will be able to speak verbally. It’s not your business 

Do not value verbal speech more highly than AAC. Any communication is good communication

Some of us never talk, either, and that’s ok! Those of us who can talk sometimes are not better than those of us who can’t. None of us owe you an explanation for our use of AAC.

Don’t look at my screen until I show you. It feels really invasive!

It feels like when someone is looking at your phone screen over your shoulder, so please don’t do this

This applies to low tech AAC as well, don’t look at someone’s cards or letter board until they show you

You have the dignity of forming your thoughts in your head before you say them, whereas my thoughts are all on display. Please afford me the same dignity that you get automatically.

Don’t shame someone for not being able to speak verbally. It makes us feel horrible

We are real people with thoughts and feelings. Please treat us with kindness. 

We are trying our best

Don’t shame someone if their device mispronounces a word. It’s quite literally out of our control.

Other Don’ts. Don’t

Don't Treat an AAC user as childish or stupid for not being able to speak. Our ability to speak does not define our worth

Don't Show frustration at the way someone communicates

Don't Make comments about how fast or slow we communicate

Also don’t…

don't Act surprised when we swear or talk about adult topics like sex, drugs, or violence. We are not pure uwu precious smol beans, we are normal fucking people

don't Assume what is “wrong” with us. There are about a hundred reasons for someone to use AAC and you probably aren’t the expert in any of them.

“OK, so what CAN i do?” im glad you asked! When interacting with an AAC user, DO…

Ask us how we prefer to communicate and support us as you are able

Assume that we are competent

Talk to us with the same respect, tone and vocabulary that you would for any one else

Give us money (this one is a joke)

Understand that AAC grammar isn’t perfect and we are doing our best

Is it rude if…

I can’t understand your device? Not rude! Misunderstandings happen all the time in any conversation, just be patient as you would normally. 

I want to complement your AAC? Not rude!

I ask to see your AAC and understand how it works? This isn’t rude if you are already talking about AAC, but don’t ask random strangers this. They don’t owe you an AAC tour. 

Thank you for listening! This post is for the community! If you are an AAC user, let me know if I missed something in the comments and I will pin it! I hope you are filled with peace and love and I hope something good happens to you today! End ID. 

[cosmo2500sstuff]

I use AAC because I get word blocks.

I use AAC sometimes I know the word but mouth can't produce it.

^^Writing that sentence I had to full on pause because couldn't think of proper words to write it.

Earlier when I was about to have my daily bath my bathroom rug was on the bathtub ledge and I forgot the word "bathroom rug" so I gestured heavily at the bathroom rug while repeating my words.

What I wanted to say: why is the bathroom rug on the bathtub

What came out: why is- why is- why is-

What I got out: why is the bathroom rug

[zebulontheplanet]

Screaming at everyone this upcoming autism awareness month that nonspeaking/nonverbal people who are autistic are still autistic. No matter if they’re nonverbal/nonspeaking or not.

(Nonverbal as in cant speak at all, all the time!!)

[five-thousand-loaves-of-bread]

autistic people dominate AAC conversation on tumblr so for this AAC awareness month (October), let us also remember all non-autistic AAC users & autistic AAC users who not use AAC because or solely because autism.

people use AAC for from intellectual & developmental disorders to neurocognitive disorders to neurological to physical disorders. people use AAC for disorders from birth & acquired disorders. progressive & non progressive disorders.

some AAC users have mouth speech, motor, and/or sound clarity related difficulties, others use for language and/or cogntive difficulties, some for combo of reasons.

those with…

intellectual disability

genetic & chromosomal disorders like down syndrome, rett syndrome, angelman syndrome, williams syndrome, etc.

cerebral palsy

speech language disorders like aphasia & dysarthria

schizophrenia & schizoaffective & schizo-spec

brain injury

dementia

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), huntington’s, frederick’s ataxia, etc.

tracheotomy

locked in syndrome

n so much more not listed here

[dreamdropdollops]

ultimate goal:

- use AAC tools to communicate when having verbal loss (aka 84% of the time)

mini goals:

- master Proloquo2Go

- stop forcing speech

- find perfect setting for TTS on phone and tablet

- get mini speaker for louder environments

- have a notes section for when you have to type

- get a small notepad ton use when you have to write

- get more + make more communication cards

- make cards for your autism/verbal loss

- tell everyone we communicate with regularly that we aren't gonna force speech anymore, and that we should be given time to communicate non verbally (no option to say)

- tell everyone to text instead of call

- learn to type faster + type without grammer mistakes

- use Proloquo2Go often and in front of others, not just TTS

- make Proloquo2Go easier to use and put butttons everywhere so no need to look frantically for words

- make AAC boards of things we communicate with like "yippie, same, valid" and other things exaplaing things like pronouns, gender, alter names, why we use AAC tools and what AAC are, things we will usually be worder and food places

- use AAC tools on video calls

- accept we are a semispeaking system

- accept its okay for US to use AAC tools

- accept all of our stims our valid, even self injurious and vocal stims, loud or quiet

- get a button/pun to but on sunfloweryard that is AAC user + semispeaking

[rainybnuuy]

Today I will talk about AAC by Weave Chat.

First of all, this app is free. That I amazing. Not everyone has the money to drop $100s of dollars to even try out an AAC, let alone use it long term. Second off, it's a pretty nice from what I have seen and used. If you are looking for a free AAC app, please give it a try. It has helped me a lot. I don't normally advertise for things, but I needed to give a positive shout out to this app.

[alex2xander]

Be nice and don't mock tumblr users that communicate differently.

Examples:

1.) Typing quirks

2.) No punctuation

3.) Random Capitalisation

4.) Long run on sentences

5.) Frequently misspelled words

6.) Missing spaces between words

7.) Repeating words and sentences

8.) Posts audios and videos instead of typing

9.) Express themselves through custom emojis

10.) Use an AAC (Augmentative and alternative communication) device

Some users have intellectual disabilities, use speech to text, struggle with grammar, have hand tremmers, have high support needs, etc.

Regardless of how they communicate and their reason why, they still deserve respect. They are trying their best.

[twiiflowerzz]

Heartbreaking News.

If (or when) I get a tablet AAC I will not be able to use it while walking and some cases while standing because I need one of my hands for my cane and both for the tablet. (I do not have three hands.)

(tone == disappointed)

It's likely still worth getting, and I won't know until I do.

(tone == hopeful, neutral)

[asexual-amanita]

Going nonverbal is not a thing.

I’m a part time AAC user due to verbal shutdowns. I use a high tech AAC device, text to speech apps, communication cards and a DIY letter board.

A lot of people like me, who experience verbal shutdowns incorrectly label themselves as “nonverbal”. This misuse of language actually harms the nonspeaking community, and speaks over their lived experience. Nonverbal and nonspeaking describe a full time, long term state of being unable to speak much or at all.

This is not the same as sometimes being usually able to speak, but experiencing verbal loss.

Now don’t get me wrong, if you’ve been using nonverbal to describe yourself for a long time, only to realize that word wasn’t for you, it can be a big change. Even I was quite resistant at first to change my use of language.

But this is important. Nonspeaking people are so often left out of conversations, and so rarely given chances to share their opinions. But the majority of the nonspeaking community has made it clear that this is not a word for people like me, and it’s important to listen to them.

If you’re struggling to find a correct term for temporary loss of speech, here are some alternatives ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Verbal loss

Verbal shutdown

Speaking break

(Episodic) Speech loss

Communication shutdown

Losing words

[clownrecess]

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people with undiagnosed physical disabilities

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people with undiagnosed mental disabilities

Happy disabled pride month to mobility aid users

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people who are in constant pain

Happy disabled pride month to AAC users

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people with ableist family

Happy disabled pride month to fat disabled people

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people with scars

Happy disabled pride month to disabled addicts

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people who's disability is progressing

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people who love their disability

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people who hate their disability

Happy disabled pride month to disabled people with underrepresented and/or uncommonly known disabilities

Happy disabled pride month to all disabled people. I love you. /p