Simon Middle School student Matthew Siapno works on his assistive device with the help of speech pathologist Elisa Jankly during the 3rd Annual Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Talk Fest, held recently at the Performing Arts Center. (Photo by Jim Cullen)
by JIM CULLEN
In a setting that’s both challenging and enjoyable, a throng of Hays CISD special needs students recently put the organizers of the district’s 3rd Annual AAC Talk Fest through their paces. There were games to be run, assistance with communication to be provided, and a comfortable, inviting atmosphere to be created.
For the benefit of every participating student, the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Talk Fest established a fun platform from which students and their teachers could work with the assistive devices. Those devices, which we learned last school year can individually cost from $800 to $7,000, facilitate a wide variety of communication (other than oral) that is used to express thoughts, needs, wants and ideas.
According to Talk Fest literature “individuals with severe speech or language problems rely on AAC to supplement existing speech that isn’t functional. Special augmentative aids, such as picture and communication boards and electronic devices, are available to help people express themselves.”
District speech-language pathologist and assistive technology specialist Rebecca Wilkinson-Smith coordinates the program with the help of an obviously motivated cadre of teachers, aides and other specialists. The resulting half day of good times, good food, and – most importantly – good communication – provides a healthy helping of positive experiences for students sometimes challenged to attain them.
District descriptions of the local program indicate there are “approximately 82 students in Hays who use various AAC systems.” A good number of those students were on hand at the Talk Fest, each mentored by a teacher, aide, or specialist, and each working with their own personal device to play bingo, answer quiz questions, or help perform any one of a number of other activities.
Wilkinson-Smith and her fellow educators see the annual Talk Fest as a great opportunity for district students using communication devices to come together for peer interaction and functional application of their AAC skills. The event also provides staff the chance for hands-on experience, to improve prompting skills and waiting strategies, and to help gauge students’ strengths and weaknesses with an eye on improving day-to-day communication.
Fulfillment of that great opportunity appears to have been accomplished once again, if the smiles, laughter, hugs, and brightened eyes of this year’s participants is any indication.
