AAC Cabinet

[PT: introduction /end PT.]

Hi! My name is Ὀρφεύς (Orpheus) and l am a part-time AAC user! I am neurodivergent, verbalflux, and multiply disabled. A few things to know; I am an adult, I use he&/they& pronouns (keep the &), I am a webdev and artist for AAC Image Library.

This is Καλλιόπη (Calliope), she uses any pronouns. She is an iPad Pro 4th gen, 11 inches. She has a SEYMAC case to protect her while I carry her around! Not only is she my AAC tablet, she also acts as a portable canvas, as well as providing ordinary tablet functions. She is also not the only form of AAC I have.

Outside of AAC, I love music, and psychology, and advocating for human rights. Occasionally I will go LIVE to answer questions about AAC and chat with other AAC users, so stay tuned!

This is the account of Ὀρφεύς and Καλλιόπη!

Links:

Link to server:

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idk i feel like i'm not disabled enough to use it because i can talk its just really hard, but also it would drastically improve my quality of life and i could really use some advice.

I actually started using AAC later in life too, and I remember having a lot of the same thoughts. I could talk, so I felt like I wasn’t “disabled enough” to use it, even though speaking was exhausting and there were times when I just couldn’t get words out the way I wanted to. It took me a while to realize that AAC isn’t only for nonverbal people. There are a lot of part-time AAC users, and there are a lot of us who started using it as teens or adults.

What helped me the most was starting small instead of trying to completely change how I communicated overnight. I started using AAC in low-pressure situations where I felt safe, like with close friends, during calls, or even just by myself to get used to the feeling of communicating that way. You don’t need a dedicated device to begin, either. A handmade communication note cards, a notes app, a notebook, or a simple text-to-speech app can be a perfectly good place to start while you figure out what works for you.

I also think one of the hardest parts is giving yourself permission to use it. When you’ve spent years forcing yourself to speak because that’s what everyone expects, it can feel like you’re somehow taking up space that doesn’t belong to you. But AAC is an assistive tool. If it reduces the effort it takes to communicate and improves your quality of life, then it’s doing exactly what it’s meant to do. You don’t have to reach some imaginary level of disability before you’re “allowed” to use something that helps you.

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(used our aac app to type this for practice; forgive any errors, and please ask for clarification if needed!)

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‪Before we get into this:‬

- This list is not solely about my autism, though autism is a major factor in many of these areas. My support needs are shaped by multiple disabilities, conditions, and life factors.

- Some of the things listed may be seen by society as embarrassing, gross, or socially unacceptable. I am sharing the reality of my daily functioning, not a sanitized or romanticized version of disability.

‪- Support needs can fluctuate. What I can do independently one day may be harder another day depending on pain, fatigue, stress, executive functioning, sensory issues, or other factors.‬

Key:

❤️ = has to be completed by someone else

🧡 = need help with

💛 = need supervision

💚 = need reminders

🩵 = can do completely on my own

💙 = it’s complicated

💜 = can do some parts but not others

🩷 = not applicable

BASIC ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (bADLs)

PERSONAL HYGIENE

(Moderate Support)

Brushing teeth: 💚/💛

Washing face: 🩵

Bathing/showering: 💚/🧡

Haircare (appropriate for hair type/texture): 🧡

Using deodorant: 💚

Nail care: 💙

Shaving: 💚

Hand hygiene: 🩵

DRESSING

(Low-Moderate Support)

Choosing weather-appropriate clothing: 💚

Putting on clothes: 🩵

Taking off clothes: 🩵

Fastening (zippers, buttons, ties, buckles, shoelaces): 💙

Recognizing dirty vs clean clothes: 🧡/❤️

Changing clothes regularly: 💛

Dressing for occasion (school, work, events): 🧡

EATING

(Moderate Support)

Preparing a plate/portioning food: 🧡/❤️

Using utensils: 🩵

Drinking water/staying hydrated: 💚/🧡

Eating meals: 💛/🧡

Recognizing hunger cues: ❤️

Recognizing fullness cues: 💙

TOILETING

(Low Support)

Using the bathroom: 🩵

Maintaining hygiene after use: 🩵

Managing hygiene supplies (pads, wipes, etc.): 🧡

Recognizing need to go: 🩵/💚

Managing schedule for bathroom use: 💚

Hand hygiene after toileting: 🩵

MOBILITY

(Low-Moderate Support)

Getting in/out of bed: 💚/🧡

Walking or using mobility aids: 🩵/💛

Navigating obstacles safely: 🧡

Stairs and uneven surfaces: 🧡

Balance and coordination in crowded spaces: 💛/🧡

Energy management for movement: 🧡/❤️

BASIC HEALTH & BODY REGULATION

(Moderate Support)

Recognizing illness/symptoms: 🧡

Pain awareness/interpretation: 💚/🧡

Managing chronic symptoms: 🧡

Resting when needed: ❤️

Maintaining sleep schedule: 🧡

Going to bed independently: 💙

Waking up/responding to alarms: 🩵

Regulating overstimulation (noise, light, crowds): 🧡/❤️

Regulating under-stimulation (fatigue, shutdowns): 💛

INSTRUMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (iADLs)

HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT

(Moderate-High Support)

Cleaning & tidying up: 🧡/❤️/💜

Laundry (washing, folding, putting away): 💛/🧡

Basic repairs / upkeep: 🧡

Managing clutter and organization systems: 💜

Remembering household tasks: 🧡

Maintaining personal space hygiene: 💜

COOKING & FOOD MANAGEMENT

(Low-Moderate Support)

Preparing no-cook meals (cereal, snacks): 🩵

Preparing simple microwaveable meals: 🩵/💚

Preparing stovetop/simple recipes: 💚/💛

Preparing complex meals or recipes: 🧡

Using kitchen equipment safely: 💛

Food safety (expiration dates, storage): 💚/💛

Meal planning: 🧡/❤️

Grocery list creation: 🧡

Following recipes step-by-step: 💜

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

(Moderate Support)

Understanding money value: 💛

Paying bills: 🧡

Budgeting: 💛

Tracking expenses: 🧡/❤️

Using debit/credit cards: 💛

Checking bank balance: 💚

Saving money: 💚/💛

Avoiding scams / risky purchases: 🩵/💛

Impulse spending control: 💛/🧡

TRANSPORTATION

(Low-Moderate Support)

Walking independently: 💛

Biking or driving: 💛/🧡

Arranging transportation (rides, ride share, asking for rides): 🩵

Navigating public transit: 🧡

Reading schedules/routes: 💛

Using GPS/maps: 💜

Transit safety awareness: 💛

Managing delays or changes in plans: 🧡

COMMUNICATION & SELF-ADVOCACY

(Low Support)

Making phone calls: 🩵

Sending messages/emails: 🩵

Managing appointments: 💚/💛

Asking for help appropriately: 🧡

Self-advocacy (school/work/medical): 💙

Setting and maintaining boundaries: 💙/🧡

Explaining needs clearly (including AAC use): 🩵/💙

Repairing misunderstandings in communication: 💜/💙

SHOPPING & ERRANDS

(Low-Moderate Support)

Grocery shopping: 💛

Buying necessities (toiletries, clothing, etc.): 💚

Understanding price: 💛

Distinguishing needs vs wants: 💛/🧡

Comparing options before buying: 💚

Completing transactions (cash/card): 🩵

Handling returns/exchanges: 🩵/💛

MEDICAL & HEALTH MANAGEMENT

(Moderate Support)

Taking medications on schedule: 🧡

Refilling prescriptions: 🧡

Scheduling appointments: 💛

Attending appointments independently: 💜

Describing symptoms to providers: 🩵/💚

Following treatment plans: 💛

Tracking symptoms over time: 💚/🧡

SAFETY & RISK AWARENESS

(Moderate Support)

Recognizing unsafe situations: 💙

Emergency response (calling 911 or contacts): 🩵

Home safety awareness: 💚

Fire / evacuation awareness: 🩵

Stranger danger / trust boundaries: 🧡/💚

Online safety / digital risks: 🩵/💚

TECH & DIGITAL LIVING

(Low Support)

Using phone independently: 🩵

Using apps for daily life (calendar, reminders): 🩵

Managing passwords/logins: 💙

Email management: 💚

Screen time regulation: 💛/💙

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING / DAILY STRUCTURE

(High Support)

Starting tasks: 💛

Finishing tasks: 🧡/💛

Switching between tasks: 🧡

Time awareness (being on time, estimating time): 🧡

Remembering daily routines: 💚

Planning ahead: 🧡/💜

Prioritizing tasks: 🧡

part 1 - part 2 - part 3

1973 – Rehabilitation Act (Section 504): Recognizes AAC as an assistive technology.

1975 – Education for All Handicapped Children Act: Mandates access to education, boosting AAC.

1980s – EyeTyper by Sentient Systems allows typing via eye movement. AAC becomes a recognized field under ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association).

1990s – Dynavox launches dynamic touchscreen AAC devices with word prediction. AAC tech becomes portable, programmable, and more customizable.

2004 – Assistive Technology Act (ATA) reauthorized; expands state-funded AAC access.

2010 – iPad revolutionizes AAC: Launch of Proloquo2Go and other robust apps. Apps become categorized: Basic, Moderate, and Robust.

2010s–2020s – YobiiDynavox, PRC, Saltillo introduce eye-gaze, head-tracking, and switch-access SGDs.

part 1 - part 2 - part 3

1960 – Goldberg & Fenton expand AAC use to more diverse populations.

1963 – POSM (POSSUM) developed by Reg Maling; a sip-and-puff typewriter controller.

1964 – Bev Vicker leads first known AAC implementation project in Iowa (published early 1970s).

1970s – AAC devices evolve rapidly:

Talking Brooch (1973) – First wearable AAC device (alphabetic display).

Lightwriter by Toby Churchill – Two-way display for typed communication.

Handivoice – Early Speech Generating Device (SGD) with voice output.

ANTIC – First device with letter prediction.

part 1 - part 2 - part 3

Ancient Greece – Early forms of sign language used as manual communication (oldest AAC system).

1836 – Morse Code developed by Samuel Morse; becomes second-oldest AAC system.

1920 – F. Hall Roe Communication Board created, the first known AAC device.

1952 – Goldstein & Cameron publish first AAC intervention paper (with aphasia patients using communication boards).

1958 – Feallock documents use of communication charts with people with physical disabilities.Ancient Greece – Early forms of sign language used as manual communication (oldest AAC system).

1836 – Morse Code developed by Samuel Morse; becomes second-oldest AAC system.

1920 – F. Hall Roe Communication Board created, the first known AAC device.

1952 – Goldstein & Cameron publish first AAC intervention paper (with aphasia patients using communication boards).

i think you would like this drawing i made for valentine's day :)

Image Description:

A collage of photos of a doll labeled “MY AUTISTIC BARBIE ARRIVED.” The doll has medium-brown skin, long dark hair, and wears a lavender striped dress and purple shoes, shown sitting on a wooden surface.

Close-up photos highlight her accessories: a pink AAC tablet, pink ear defenders, a small pink fidget toy, and a shot of her shoes.