#communication devices

The main way that I communicate is with my device. The one I currently use is a high tech AAC device made out of an android tablet and the app Avaz. Attached to my device are a few little things, some of which might not seem too important, but all of them are actually very important to me!

Attached to my strap are my chewmoji communication cards. I got them a few years ago. Whilst I mainly use my device to communicate, and it is very useful and easy for me, sometimes my chewmojis are easier for communicating simple emotions. They get the most use when I am regressed and/or when I have low spoons. They are very easy for me to use, because I can just flip through them and find the one that looks like how I feel! They are also chewable, which is helpful if I am having a difficult time and need oral sensory input. I don't use them very often for chewing, I usually use my chewy pendants for that, but its useful to have the option just in case. (In case anyone is wondering, yes, I wash them frequently! Even when I havent chewed on them I still clean them often.)

On my strap are my pins. I currently have two pins on my strap, but I would like to also get one that says something like "I'm autistic".

The blue pin on my strap is for safety and convenience purposes. It says "I hear + understand but don't speak". I need this pin because often times people won't understand that I am nonspeaking, and so they will become confused or even frustrated with me.

Perfect for all those video meetings, it’s F. Shaw’s Head Telephone! Patented on 12/5/1882.

Record Group 241: Records of the Patent and Trademark Office

Series: Utility Patent Drawings

The fear of not being able to convey my thoughts and preferences to the waiter or waitress can make the whole dining experience unpleasant. I tend to worry that the staff may not understand my communication device, or it might be too loud to hear my device in the first place. Due to this, I have my mother (or friend, if I am with a friend) order for me. But this brings up another fear, if they don't know it is a communication device, I become afraid that they think I am an "I-Pad kid", which makes me even more anxious.

Also, ordering at a restaurant often involves a lot of pressure to perform quickly and efficiently, especially during busy times (absolutely not saying that this isn't stressful for staff too because of being rushed). This can be even more stressful for AAC users who are slower at using AAC and need extra time to type their order.

Everyone deserves to have a positive dining experience, regardless of how they communicate. Restaurant staff can play an important role in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for AAC users. They can take the time to listen carefully, ask questions, and show empathy and patience. And for AAC users, here are a few things that you might be able to do to make it easier for yourself, too:

Prepare your order beforehand

Buy a special case with volume enchantment (I don't know what it's called but I know it exists)

Turn up your volume to the highest option if it's loud

Show the staff member your screen if necessary

You are not a burden, or annoying, or anything else for having different communication needs.

When I read you were non speaking, I was wondering, could you, in a scenario where you were able to control things to make the environment how you wanted, speak? Is it a selective mutism thing etc? Ive never had the chance to communicate with a fully non speaking individual so please excuse my questions

The level of oral speech I can use varies a lot. Currently I use AAC full time at school and part time at home, but I might have to use it full time at both soon, or perhaps not at all!

When I use AAC full time, like fully full time, and I have acsess to no mouth words, I usually cannot use oral speech no matter the scenario, however an exception of this is sometimes I can say unclear sounding mouth words to my gecko, or to myself, when completely away from other humans. This is because my gecko feels completely like a safe creature to me.

Here are some examples of things I have unclearly orally said to my gecko when having absolutely zero mouth words in every other situation:

"Guds boo" which would me telling him "Good boy".

"Geckkya" which is just, "gecko".

"I yuv o-o-oh" which would be "I love you".

When I have no mouth words, I feel extremely anxious at the thought of speaking orally, so much so that I can't. Which sounds like selective/situational mutism, only it's different because along with that I also experience these things when having no mouth words:

Extremely difficult (usually impossible) time making the proper mouth or tounge movements that produce clear oral speech.

Brain skipping over words when reading, thinking, or doing anything involving language, so my thoughts or anything I read will go from "I have a green backpack! Its forest green, forest green is my second favorite shade of green, my first being sage green.", to something a bit more like "I backpack green, is forest. Forest second favorite green, I best sage.". Sometimes this also affects how I type, but it usually doesn't.

The part of my brain that has oral speech in it feels like it has a big block or a wall preventing me from getting to it, so it's just like, I know its over there, but I couldn't get it or even see it no matter how hard I tried.

And very occasionally, my processing of words or text will become so little that I think in solely basic symbols, and typing becomes practically impossible because well, it involves letters.

Do you always use your AAC device(s)? And have you ever considered using Sign Language in place of your AAC? Growing up [with a variety of physical and mental health issues; autism included] I’ve found that speaking has become increasingly difficult.. and an AAC device just isn’t possible with my current lifestyle. Was wondering if you had any advice/suggestions/or experiences?

I tend to say that I am a full time AAC user, but I'm not 24/7, I use AAC nearly full time, and me using oral speech is a relatively rare occurrence.

And yes! I have considered using ASL, but I can't use it because my motor skills prevent me from signing properly. I can sign a few basic things like "Eat" and "Drink", but it just really wouldnt work for me because of my motor issues.

You said an AAC device wouldnt work for you, so here is a few alternatives:

Sign language

Communication cards