125 | AAC part 1 with Lilly's Voice

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇In this episode, Dr. Tay welcomes Stefanie, the president and co-founder of the nonprofit Lilly's Voice. Stefanie shares the inspiring story of her non-speaking autistic daughter, Lilly, whose journey with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices led to the creation of the nonprofit. Lilly’s Voice provides AAC devices to children who have communication differences for families who cannot access these tools through conventional means, such as through school funding, insurance, or other grant mechanisms. Lilly’s Voice also provides education on AAC. The episode covers the importance of AAC, debunks common myths, and emphasizes best practices for parents to support their children's communication. Stefanie also discusses fundraising efforts and the impactful work of Lilly’s Voice.00:00 Introduction to Lily's Voice Nonprofit02:19 Meet Stephanie: The Inspiration Behind Lily's Voice03:32 The Journey to AAC: Challenges and Discoveries05:51 Launching Lily's Voice: A Nationwide Nonprofit08:34 Understanding Apraxia and the Role of AAC12:11 Debunking Myths About AAC20:01 Navigating the Process of Acquiring AAC Devices25:48 How Lily's Voice Supports Families27:18 App Limitations and Popular Choices28:02 Guidance for Parents on Choosing Apps30:20 Personal Experiences with AAC Apps31:28 Best Practices for AAC Devices34:55 Learning and Customizing AAC Devices40:12 Fundraising and Support for Lily's Voice45:25 Encouragement and Final Thoughts46:39 Conclusion and Next StepsRESOURCES⚡️ learn more about Lilly's Voice, apply for a scholarship, and learn about AAC on their website⚡️ connect with Stefanie through the nonprofit’s Instagram account @lillysvoice and Lilly’s personal page @afriendforlillybug⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism⚡️ learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>Instagram @the.dr.tayTikTok @the.dr.tayLinkedIn @the-dr-tay