What is AAC? AAC is any form of communication other than spoken language. It can include gestures and facial expressions, writing, drawing, sign-language, spelling words by pointing to letters, picture cards, communication boards, or using a speech-generating device to communicate. AAC Awareness Month is celebrated each October, to raise awareness and to
Your Story Isn’t Over Yet Each September, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) recognizes Suicide Prevention Month as a time to raise awareness, spread hope, and ignite action around suicide, one of the most urgent mental health crises today. And one way this is done is through communication. One conversation, simply
Summer is here! Summertime can be a fun and enjoyable experience, bringing warm weather, travel plans, vacations, and outdoor activities. However, for individuals with challenging communication, it can bring many risks and obstacles. Below are some communication tips to make summer an enjoyable season for all. Social Stories – Can be used
How many of us use emojis to communicate? Language comes in many forms and one of the most ancient types of language is visual symbols. Emojis are visual symbols that help enhance our written language. They can replace words or whole phrases and still be understood by many. Emojis were originally created
Did you know that two-thirds of Americans have at least one major potential risk factor for dementia? There are 10 warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. One of the signs is: New problems with words in speaking or writing This may include challenges with following or
Did you know that 60% of caregivers of individuals with communication difficulties say that communication breakdowns make their role more challenging? May 1, 2025, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) published its 2025 ASHA National Survey of Caregivers: Insights and Experience conducted by YouGov. Here are some of the findings: 40% of those
Helen Keller National Center partners with Pennsylvania's Office of Developmental Programs to bring specialized DeafBlind support directly to local communities. This innovative five-day immersion program empowers support teams with personalized strategies, ensuring DeafBlind individuals with intellectual disabilities can achieve greater independence in their home environments. Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) announced a
Parkinson’s Disease is a type of movement disorder that is chronic and progressive. It may affect the nerves and muscles that are used to develop speech. Here are some easy strategies to support communication: Be patient. Give them plenty of time to process Avoid speaking above other noises; try to eliminate distractions
Did you know that 4.2 million Americans, ages 40 and older, are visually impaired? Of these, 3 million have “low vision”. By 2030 this number is estimated to reach 7.2 million, with 5 million having low vision. (Source: National Eye Health Education Partnership) What is low vision? Low vision is when even
CommunicationFIRST* recently published a resource on communicating in times of stress. “In moments of intense stress—when speaking up and being heard may be more important than ever—some people may lose the ability to communicate in the ways they usually do.” Check out this resource at https://communicationfirst.org/communicating-in-times-of-stress/ *CommunicationFIRST is an organization dedicated to
