Helen Hughes

Speech & Language Therapist • Interests: AAC, Cleft Palate, early years, complex needs • Own views🌻

[RCSLT 💙 @RCSLT]

Check out our new AAC (augmentative & alternative communication) Guidance!

Including clinical guidance for SLTs and guidance for the general public to help understand AAC tools & techniques.

https://t.co/Fy20kvJgWY

#slt #speechandlanguagetherapy #speechandlanguagetherapy #AAC

[A Grain of SaLT- Sarah Reilly @sazalder]

Love this checklist to ensure an AAC system is robust! https://t.co/H6WmfQsz1l

[Cleft Lip and Palate Action @CLAPACOMMUNITY]

BBC's Tiny Happy People spoke to Catrina Dyer, a specialist speech and language therapist who works at the Cleft Unit at The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Check out the full article on the BBC website: https://t.co/xT8Hm74cmk

[Speech and Language UK @SpeechAndLangUK]

#2in30 children have Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), yet most people don't know about it.

This #DLDday, watch and share Darcie's story, help us raise awareness and support children living with DLD👇https://t.co/oFkKN2Cmed

[NAPLIC @NAPLIC]

The interactive DLD bubble toolkit is here. Check it out.
It is amazingly useful for all who work with those with #DevLangDis. Good timing for #DLDday Thank you CommIT!
https://t.co/mheaPDst21
#DLDbubbleToolkit

[All On The Board @allontheboard]

Today is ‘Developmental Language Disorder (or DLD) Awareness day’. It’s an invisible disorder. Let’s help spread awareness and if you think that you or someone you love may have DLD please seek support.
@allontheboard

#DLD #DLDday #ThinkDLD #DevLangDis

[CALL Scotland @CALLScotland]

It’s here! Our updated and refreshed App wheel to support learners with complex communication needs.

Read Jo’s blog here
https://t.co/Oy5Cfo63nC
Access the App wheel here https://t.co/vtLs8E7tXO

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

In todays A-Z then Q is for quiet. Sometimes we all need privacy. Being able to turn down the sound on your #AAC device so the whole room doesn’t hear something personal is important. We all need to be able to have a private conversation. #AACaware23

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

In my A-Z P is for potential. Everyone is different but we can all fulfil our own communication potential, including those who use #AAC. I was ‘lucky’ following an assessment age 3 my local authority believed in me and I got my first device to start school age 4. #AACaware23

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

In today’s A-Z then O is for organisation. Each #AAC user is different so the way they organise their thoughts should be reflected in the programming of their device. My own software has been personalised so it no longer looks the way the programme designer intended. #AACaware23

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

Todays A-Z brings N for the nitty gritty of using #AAC. To access their devices many people need additional kit. From mounting to input resources. Providing the kit is only the start, physical and environmental factors also impact each time we use it. #AACaware23

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

In today’s A-Z then M is for modelling, mentoring and role models. Other children have communication modelled daily in every setting. As an #AAC user it’s just as important we see good #AAC communication being modelled at home, school, and in the community. #AACaware23

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

L is for love to all #AAC user’s families. Never underestimate the time to charge, clean & troubleshoot our devices. With our best interests at heart they keep our #AAC devices nearby, give us time and encouragement & more. Thank you. They help make us who we are. #AACaware23

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

K is for kudos and kindness. We all learn through encouragement so praise an #AAC user’s achievements; we are working hard on the
process of communication. Every utterance has taken conscious physical effort as well as cognitive processing.
#AACaware23

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

In my A-Z then J is for J is for being non-judgemental. #AAC users need their communication partners to provide time and space for quality interactions, never judging, assuming or jumping in, but waiting for each unique output. #AACaware23

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

I is for me! Nothing about me without me! #AAC gives me a voice that can be heard, it means my views, feelings and thoughts can be shared. #AAC promotes #inclusion and reduces social #Isolation. #AACaware23

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

In todays A-Z then H is for home. Often #AAC is first introduced in an educational environment yet around 66% of a child’s waking life is outside of school each year. AAC must be embedded in everyday life not just in formal learning. #AACaware23

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

For todays A-Z then G brings good times. You don’t always need goal setting to celebrate successful #AAC encounters in life. Adhoc opportunity also brings growth & confidence. And, if things don’t always go as expected learn from these too. There is always next time. #AACaware23

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

In todays A-Z F is for funding. Unlike natural speech #AAC speech isn’t free. Using #AAC costs. Whether it’s hardware, software, peripherals, charging, mounting, warranty, insurance, or printing boards and pages. And there’s a human cost too. #AACaware2023

[Beth Moulam @beth_moulam]

In today’s A-Z of AAC then E is for efficient communication. Everyone needs literacy. Natural speakers may have unlimited access to vocabulary. An #AAC user needs to be able to spell the word or have a symbol they can access to say what they want and when they need. #AACaware23