Almost 50 years ago, the Autism Society in the U.S. launched its first autism awareness campaign. This evolved into Autism Awareness Month, which has taken place each April for decades now. While the original idea behind this event was certainly well-intentioned, the...

Recently, I’ve started working with a new patient. This gentleman had a stroke about six years ago and lost his ability to speak. While I’m still in the process of learning about his preferences, needs, cognitive abilities, etc., I’ve already found out one crucial...

If you have a loved one or client who has challenges trying to communicate, you’ve probably been wondering whether it’s time to look for some help in the form of an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device or app. If so, your first move should be to...

Dementia profoundly affects millions of individuals and their families worldwide, bringing unique challenges into the lives of those tasked with caregiving. Caregivers often find themselves at a crossroads, especially when it comes to communicating effectively with...

Dementia profoundly impacts lives, altering the very essence of communication for those affected. As a certified speech-language pathologist, I've witnessed firsthand these challenges (and triumphs) in the journey of dementia caregiving. The crux of effective dementia...

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) plays a crucial role in assisting individuals with communication challenges. Yet, numerous misconceptions surround its use and effectiveness. In this post, I want to debunk some common AAC myths and shed light on the...

In the world of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), October holds a special place as AAC Awareness Month. This month-long event is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of communication for individuals who have lost their ability to speak,...

If you, a friend, or a family member has challenges communicating through speech, today’s technology provides you with many amazing options. Speech language pathologists assist such individuals with communication through a variety of methods, including arming them...

Today I wanted to talk a bit about one of the more common reasons people lose the ability to speak: having a laryngectomy as a result of throat cancer. As a speech language pathologist, I often work with people who have been diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and have...