121: AAC Doesn't Have To Be Scary with Kate Thomson
How do you feel about AAC devices? If you think everything surrounding AAC is a little scary, you’re not alone! Many SLPs feel this way, but it doesn't have to be scary! AAC devices can benefit our students in so many ways, you just have to understand it and be patient. In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, I sat down with Kate Thomson to dive into the topic of AAC and what you need to know about using these devices to help your students reach their speech goals. Kate is a go-getter who established the first SpeechEase clinic in Townsville two days a week while still working full-time in her government job. She saw a huge need for speech therapy services in Mackay when the NDIS started and began providing services there on the weekends until there was enough demand to open a second clinic. Kate is also Branch Chair for the Queensland Branch of Speech Pathology Australia and regularly provides supervision and mentorship to early career and senior Speech Pathologists. As a speechie, Kate loved helping unlock a clients’ communication abilities using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) so they could show the world who they are and what they know. Make sure to tune in to learn more about the magic of AAC devices, how to use them, and how to help your students flourish with them. Full show notes available at www.speechtimefun.com/121 Resources Mentioned: Check out the SpeechEase website: https://www.speechease.net.au/ Follow Kate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speechease/ Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/slp-coffee-talk/id1497341007 Follow Hallie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speechtimefun Follow Hallie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechTimeFun/ Follow Hallie on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/missspeechie/Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets