#aac user

[meeb-motes]

here’s our disability folders so far :D !!! Def need to add more and organize more , ( specifically for physical disability folder that ones empty ,, and we need ideas for it/lh ) but yeah !!

[faggotisaacfloofs]

Thank you for nudge! I havent been able to fix them more, I'm still really unhappy with how it is, and it has long way to go, but. Maybe can help show some options?

So to explain: first i am using sorta proloquo2go but inspired by proloquo. So the top 3 rows stay the same every page (except pop-up folders). I also started out with 2 verb pages, like proloquo has, one with more "vague" verbs and one with less vague verbs, which is how proloquo organizes. But. I can't understand that way of organizing. So I've changed it a lot. But I still have 2 verb tabs and haven't been able to merge them yet. I also have learned motor planning of a lot of them so I'm resistant to change it. Will probably at least put all the folders on both verb pages?

I also use pop-up folders and add related verbs. On big verbs like, Go, I use the secondary action feature, so it works as a regular button if I want or opens popup if I double tap. And all the buttons with bold borders open up the pop-ups (and the Very Bold outline means just regular folders)

Here is screen caps, all are described. If anyone is overwhelmed looking at image, I suggest read the description for breakdown on what is happening.

One thing to know is that I use color coding to help me. In general I use color based on part of speech, but for folders where all words are the same part of speech, I color code groups of similar words so I can find them easier. I have a really hard time with visual scanning so it helps me.

Let's start with Verbs 1 folder, which is on top bar and therefore always accessible in every folder (except popups).

ID: screenshot of proloquo2go AAC app, 8x14 grid. Page is Verbs 1 folder. They are loosely grouped based on connection and color coded. There are some verbs like may, should, keep, happen, might, cause, matter, that are all one color. There are blue verbs of sound, hear, listen, communicate, tell, say, speak. There are green verbs of learn, teach, practice, coach, read, write, type, spell, copy. There are several more groups of verbs including words like prefer, increase, expect, see, look. There are 4 subfolders of thinking, feeling, body, and telling.

ID: thinking folder, again grouped by similar words and color coded. Group of blue has understand, solve, answer, count, question. Green verbs of suppose, intend, plan, infer, promise, mean, identify, figure. Other groups include words of, believe, trust, pick, lie, disagree, obey, study, focus.

ID: feeling folder. Fewer words, loosely grouped, not all color coded. Words like tingle, taste, smell, hate, don't care, decline, celebrate, win, propose, marry, divorce, laugh, cry, sigh, offend.

ID: Body verbs. A very full folder, grouped and color coded. One group has, slide, fall, slip, trip. Another group has sit, stand, exercise, walk, rub, stomp, hop, jump. Another group of fyl, swim, climb. Another group fidget, rock, stim, knock, shake, rub. Many more groupings, with only 2 blank squares on the whole page.

Body verbs is a hard folder because there are So So So many body verbs. So I try to fit a lot on other pages, under other things like Move or Telling.

ID: telling verbs folder. There are fewer verbs here as a lot have been moved to the first verbs 1 page. There are grouped words again, including words like, dial, text, hang up, misspell, chat, meet, interrupt, remind, sing, yell, tease, swear, and more.

Okay then Action Words / Verbs 2 folder (always accessible on top bar)

ID: verbs 2 folder. Lots of the buttons have a bold outline, saying they open popup folders to related verbs. Another very full page with grouped words, color coded, and some subfolders for Water, Chores, Making, Body, and A-Z verbs. Some of the bolded pop-up verbs include make, bump, sort, roll, move, live, join, buy, build. Some other verbs on the page are open, close, protect, drop, lift, pick, put, take, play, work, stay, follow, eat, die, hide, break, cut, stretch, fit, pack, plug in, tap, swipe, charge.

Here are some examples of the popup folders. For popups I don't have the top 3 rows of core words. In them I also include the conjugations for the different forms of the word because I find the way proloquo2go does conjugation and word forms to be extremely confusing. Wish it just gave a list so I could pick the right one. So I have lots of popup folders with just conjugation for words I use a lot. But often include related words.

Here is popup folder for go:

ID: the popup does not have usual top 3 rows. Instead it has all forms of verb go, and related words with their forms as well. The related words are: drive, ride, walk, pass, fly, visit, roll (which is bolded and opens the roll popup folder), and travel. There are also some nouns related to the verb. So next to drive is driver, next to ride is rider, etc. The conjugation is ordered the same for each verb, and it goes for example, the verb to ride, is buttons in a row of, rider, rode, ride, rides, riding. In these folders only the present tense (ride, go, etc) has an icon, so it is easier to find. The conjugations just are text only.

Here is popup for move:

ID: this popup for move includes the related words of shake, vibrate, slide, climb, crawl, lift, rise, nudge, shift, reposition. All verbs have all their forms same as previous.

Here is the making subfolder:

ID: A regular folders with normal top 3 rows of core words and folders. This folder has grouped color coded words and includes: sew, weave, plant, build, dig, carve, cook, blend, mix, chop, fold, glue, dye, draw, take picture, decorate, form, and make bed, and many more. End ID.

Even just posting this i realize how inefficient it is, like verbs are repeated a lot. Practice is on both verb 1 and verb 2 page, for example. Climb is in move folder and in body folder. And definitely just lots of cleaning up and sorting still to do. But I have been successfully learning the motor planning for a lot of verbs so it is working to some extent. It takes me a long time to go through and group them and I can only do a little bit at a time, it's so overwhelming. They really need better verb organizing. I just don't know how to do it in a way to make sense to my brain.

Anyway hope this might help!

button-based AAC users how you all organize verbs other than A-Z folders or page of alphabetical words…

bc look at this page n process nothing read nothing other than overload cognitive. n this just words proloquo2go come with it not even words add myself

[id: symbol based AAC grid of 8x12 full of verbs, pink button with text on top picture on bottom. end id]

[systemic-stupidity]

*deep breath in*

*deep breath out*

Let AAC users say fuck!

Let them swear, let them say fuck and asshole and anything else they want.

Let them program their devices to say ‘fuck off’ instead of just ‘leave me alone, please’. Let them have language that’s adult or even offensive! Give them the ability to communicate the same as anyone else- let them have the option to be abrasive and even rude for when people are being assholes, let them swear casually so they can joke with their peers and say shit like ‘can you pass the damn ketchup’!!!!!!!!

Let disabled people say fuck!

[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.

[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.

[thecouncil-aac]

Our alcohol folder! Each button has sub-sections (ie "and [soda]" lists out "and coke" "and sprite" ect, "21+" has "I am an adult, using AAC doesn't change that" "here's my ID" "do you need my ID?", "sobriety" has "we are sober" "we are tipsy" "we are drunk", "alcohol" has "we want a drink" "we don't want a drink" "can we try your drink" ect)

We don't have a folder/buttons for non-alcoholic recreational drug use because we don't use any (whether smoking/cigarettes, edibles/marijuana, ect), so it's not relevent to us... other than a "we don't do/use xyz"... hm, we should add that 🤔

i wanna see more AAC devices with boards for substances. like yes let me see your collection of geekbar flavor buttons

[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

[spooksforsammy]

Geniuenly like. So many people claim support disability. But then say something completely untrue

Y’all support autism? So what about when the person has intellectual disability or need help walk talk eat bath use bathroom? Does your support end when you see someone with higher needs?? Someone who actually genuinely won’t survive without support from others n that support is sometimes having other people do everything for them.

Y’all support depression? What about when the person can’t bring themself to get out of bed for days on end? What about when that person goes days weeks months without cleaning self because can’t get up even though need to?

Yall support schizo-spec disorders & psychosis? What about what the person get violent because of their delusions n hallucinations? The ones know are fake but still can’t help but believe in? The ones genuinely believe in their delusions/ hallucinations? What about the ones don’t don’t get violent to self n other because of the disorder? Those that just sit scared about the hallucinations n delusions. The ones that won’t leave their room/ house out of fear of their delusions/ hallucinations?

Y’all support those with physical disabilities? What about the housebound bedbound ones? The ones need gait trainers walkers wheelchairs? What about the ones who full time users? Or the ones that need power chairs to independently move around? What about the ones crying screaming throwing up from their pain?

What about the disabled that always have a horrible attitude because tired of the disrespect? Tired of having to explain everything about them to everyone even if personal? Tired being told get over it n just educate others?

The disabled ones tired telling people not use certain terms. Tired of being spoken over n for without being thought about or asked. Tired of hearing their communication isn’t valid for ‘xyz’

Y’all support but act very picky about who deserves support and who’s not worthy of it. It’s not support if you pickin n choosing

[zebulontheplanet]

I hate how people believe that AAC will automatically fix and make everything better. Like it’s this magical thing that will fix all your problems. And I’m mostly referring to the parts of the community that are mostly speaking people. I realize completely that AAC could help a LOT in these situations, but sometimes, it can cause more harm than good.

This is just in my observations and experience, but the amount of ableism that AAC users experience is ridiculous. The amount of people who believe that if you use AAC, you are this zoo animal who has suddenly gained a talent and must be stared at and gawked at.

AAC will NOT fix your family problems. Your family will still be ableist. AAC will not fix all your speech problems, you will still have speech problems. AAC is hard to figure out. AAC will not make everything better, and I’m tired of people acting like it’s some magical thing that will. Will it make your life easier if you’re nonverbal or nonspeaking and NEED a way to communicate? Absolutely. But that doesn’t change the other shit.

[miho-nishizoomi]

(Unrelated and OOC Post)

I really want to get myself a sunflower lanyard or at the very least make my own disability lanyard. I don't care what people think of me or if they think i'm faking it, it helps me, PERIOD.

Anyway, the same goes for Miho Nishizumi. I think it would really benefit her.

you know what ? fuck you (makes my own disability lanyard)

image id: a rainbow lanyard with bacteria and viruses printed on it. there is a sunflower pin on the lanyard. clipped to the lanyard are a green bone shaped dog tag that says good boy, a green tangle and a badge. the badge is varying shades of green and purple and it says “hi my name is (redacted) and i am on the autism and schizophrenia spectrum. i can hear and understand you. i may not be able to speak. please don’t touch me. please speak calmly to me. in an emergency or with my consent call (redacted telephone number) there is a sunflower on the badge as well as a rainbow infinity and a psywiggle. end id.

[teddybearworld]

Question for people who use screen readers or text to speech/audio

When a post on here has lots of emojis, special fonts/text or lots of keysmashes, what is a way to tag those posts so that you guys don't have to sit there listening to nonsense for a minute straight?

Thanks!

[vixdesl]

[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

[sirenium]

For anyone who is semi verbal, nonverbal, or otherwise struggles with speech, please know that there are people who will accept your methods of communication. There are people who won't infantilize you for using AAC, communication cards, making noises instead of words, etc. There are people who won't expect you to pick the mask up again when you stop being so 'talkative'. There are people who don't mind waiting for you to sort your thoughts, and are happy to include you in the conversation.

There are people who accept you as yourself, and I don't just mean toleration.

[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. 

[pixierainbows]

Pixie lost a question tumblr post and not sure exactly what was ask . took Pixie so so long time to answer . Weeks of work … So here is answer with no question . so sorry !

A few things about being actually nonverbal ( Never able use mouth words at all , ever … “going nonverbal” is NOT A THING ) .

1- AAC Very slow compare to mouth words . Can take Pixie 10 or more minutes just to give answer to “ hello how are you ?“ Longer word things , like simple blog post , can take weeks to months . people are never that patient , even otherwise good people can just not wait , not without practice .

2- being nonverbal , needing AAC to Communicate all the time , make many things much harder or not possible at all , even with help .

example -

Most medical professionals Pixie have known will not accept communication with AAC device As genuine communication . And ! also will not accept communication from someone else , what is not biological parent , unless AAC user verbally ( not with AAC device ) give permission . Or . personally fills out in writing many forms giving permission . Even then . Is not work every time .

is Same for many many other things . banks and government agencies and schools and businesses and organizations of all sorts .

3- Geting emergency services like ambulance or Police or Firefighter services require speaking . so , need someone else help by calling .

4- many programs for disabled people will not allow access to programs if person cannot *speak* independently . ( Pixie lucky have found some good programs , in big city really help have more programs to choose from )

Pixie also have cognitive disability and moderate to severe language difficulties . but ! even people what just not can speak And not have anything else disabling ( unlike Pixie ) Still need so much more help just because of not able speak ever .