Carrie’s AAC Connection at Down Syndrome Connection Walk

There seemed to be magic in the air when little Carrie and her mother approached Children’s Therapy TEAM’s communication table at the Down Syndrome Connection of NWA Inclusion Walk. The duo was greeted by Lynsey Lobdell, a speech-language pathologist and Director of Children’s Therapy TEAM’s AAC program. The program works with children, like Carrie, that have difficulty producing speech that others can easily understand.

Encouraging families to explore, Children’s Therapy TEAM’s table was filled with various types of AAC technology. Carrie quickly gravitated to one of the devices on the table that she had never seen before. It wasn’t long before she was actually using it to share clear, audible words. Her message seemed to magically resonate from a speaker on the small device. Everyone at the table could hear and understand the message Carrie intended by pushing buttons on the device. This made the little girl beam with pride. Carrie was so delighted by the discovery of her own strong voice that she made it clear that she wanted to take new device home with her.

Carrie may soon get her wish. Just before attending the event, Carrie was referred to Children’s Therapy TEAM’s AAC Program by her speech-language pathologist, Kristy Burnett. While Carrie has been effectively using a low tech AAC system that uses pictures printed on paper, Kristy was concerned the system just didn’t have enough words for Carrie. The little girl’s visit to the communication table that day served as confirmation that Kristy’s recommendation certainly will offer Carrie new, powerful opportunities to share her voice in the world.