SAN DIEGO—October is AAC Device Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and the important role they play in ensuring that every student has a voice.
This month, Creekside Elementary School held its Friday Flag assembly with the help of an AAC device. The device looks like an iPad and is programmed by the school’s Speech and Language team to help students connect with others, participate, and build independence through communication methods like speech generation and specialized communication apps.
During the assembly, the AAC device helped introduce students to the device, its use, and how it helps students communicate. Students also performed during the assembly, using gestures while they performed—a non-technology aided method.
“We have several students on our campus who use AAC devices as their primary mode of communication,” says Creekside ES Principal Cynthia Chambers. “As an inclusive school community, it is important to me that we highlight some of our variations so that students and families are familiar with some variations they may see on campus. And that they may understand while another student may have a difference, that we all deserve to be heard, no matter how we communicate.”