AUG
08
2019
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Advocating for AAC
Advocating for AAC
Nathan Thompson is a 20-year-old young man who has high aspirations to support others just like him. To communicate, Nathan uses an eye gaze device with text to speech to type. He uses this to write emails, complete NCEA school work and like any other young adult, he is often scrolling through Facebook and Instagram. He first got this communication device four years ago and after taking a few months to learn it, he now uses it throughout the day for all forms of face to face and online communication. Nathan is about to get a new eye gaze system as his current device is old and giving issues. Before using this device, Nathan trialled multiple communication systems including head switches and paper based low tech methods.
When he leaves school, Nathan wishes to be an advocate for individuals like himself. Nathan shared that “I have been blessed to help people like me. Just seeing the kids' smiles. You can't put a price tag on that. I used to say that I don't care about becoming ‘rich’ or being famous - I just want to have a proper voice like most people. That was my biggest insecurity, because I thought man, if I could talk and walk - I could help so many people in need. That was bringing me down all the time. And people spoke too fast for me to respond in that short amount of time. I was like hold on, while I'm writing a response, or I'm trying to type really fast to get my point across. These were the main factors that played a huge role in me being frustrated, not necessarily with people, but with myself. Most of my frustration was directed at myself for not being able to speak; however, I've learnt how to combat all of that and I just focus on the positives and not on the negatives, because I believe that I have a purpose on this earth, and I believe my purpose is to help the parents of those kids that I've mentioned in the beginning of this, to have faith, because it's a process to get where you want your kids to be. Take it from me who has been there, done that. I was and am so lucky to have all the support from all my friends and family. I just hope I can pay you guys back, one day! I've been so fortunate to my eye gaze! Because without my eye gaze - I wouldn't have been able to share my story and help people by telling my story. The eye gaze allows me to do just that!”.
Nathan understands that he has the right to be heard and has a purpose to ensure others are heard too. He emphasises two important tips for those who communicate with individuals using alternative communication. First, “the most important thing is to be patient” by giving an individual time to construct their message and don’t talk over them or guess what they are trying to say before they have finished speaking. Second, as a communication partner it is important to “read a person’s body language” when something needs to be actioned immediately and they don’t have their device accessible.
If you want to get in touch with Nathan for support/advice, please contact him via Facebook at “Marvey Thompson”.
By Lacie Glen Vile (3rd year SLT student at Massey University) and Jessamy Bell (TalkLink SLT)
Advocating for AAC
Nathan Thompson is a 20-year-old young man who has high aspirations to support others just like him. To communicate, Nathan uses an eye gaze device with text to speech to type. He uses this to write emails, complete NCEA school work and like any other young adult, he is often scrolling through Facebook and Instagram. He first got this communication device four years ago and after taking a few months to learn it, he now uses it throughout the day for all forms of face to face and online communication. Nathan is about to get a new eye gaze system as his current device is old and giving issues. Before using this device, Nathan trialled multiple communication systems including head switches and paper based low tech methods.
When he leaves school, Nathan wishes to be an advocate for individuals like himself. Nathan shared that “I have been blessed to help people like me. Just seeing the kids' smiles. You can't put a price tag on that. I used to say that I don't care about becoming ‘rich’ or being famous - I just want to have a proper voice like most people. That was my biggest insecurity, because I thought man, if I could talk and walk - I could help so many people in need. That was bringing me down all the time. And people spoke too fast for me to respond in that short amount of time. I was like hold on, while I'm writing a response, or I'm trying to type really fast to get my point across. These were the main factors that played a huge role in me being frustrated, not necessarily with people, but with myself. Most of my frustration was directed at myself for not being able to speak; however, I've learnt how to combat all of that and I just focus on the positives and not on the negatives, because I believe that I have a purpose on this earth, and I believe my purpose is to help the parents of those kids that I've mentioned in the beginning of this, to have faith, because it's a process to get where you want your kids to be. Take it from me who has been there, done that. I was and am so lucky to have all the support from all my friends and family. I just hope I can pay you guys back, one day! I've been so fortunate to my eye gaze! Because without my eye gaze - I wouldn't have been able to share my story and help people by telling my story. The eye gaze allows me to do just that!”.
Nathan understands that he has the right to be heard and has a purpose to ensure others are heard too. He emphasises two important tips for those who communicate with individuals using alternative communication. First, “the most important thing is to be patient” by giving an individual time to construct their message and don’t talk over them or guess what they are trying to say before they have finished speaking. Second, as a communication partner it is important to “read a person’s body language” when something needs to be actioned immediately and they don’t have their device accessible.
If you want to get in touch with Nathan for support/advice, please contact him via Facebook at “Marvey Thompson”.
By Lacie Glen Vile (3rd year SLT student at Massey University) and Jessamy Bell (TalkLink SLT)
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