Some Key Points to Understand

• Communication is the foundation for all interactions. Meaningful relationships develop when each person is respected, valued and embraced as an active member in every interaction. True friendships are born on a level playing field. "Inclusion" moves from being a politically correct thought to a true experience. All people bring a unique gift and life experience to any interaction. Seeking that gift begins by acknowledging the personhood of an individual first and labeling them last!
  
  
• Every individual has a right to communicate; therefore, every person must be assured of access to education and training in an individualized communication system.



• A professional in the area of speech, language, and communication, for the purpose of developing a system to meet their individual communication needs should evaluate each individual. Many individuals do not have, or may never have, spoken language.



• Each person who is not able to rely solely upon spoken language needs to be evaluated for and trained in the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication strategies (AAC).



• There are no prerequisites for the introduction of AAC (e.g. cognitive ability, motor skills, etc.), so regardless of a person's ability an assessment and follow-up training for the particular AAC method/device selected would be appropriate.



• A method that is effective for an individual needs to be respected and supported, even if some question its validity for everyone. Every person is an individual and has the right to communicate with the method they choose and or effectively have the ability to use for communication.



• If a person communicates differently you may have to listen differently to support them.



• We need people to understand that labels of autism or mental retardation are how people without disabilities try to label our experience - but really it is a label for your experience - what you see or experience a person doing. The label or what you see them doing tells you nothing about what they are experiencing or what they "get" from what their actions. This needs to be learned on a person-by-person basis.



• Facilitated Communication has been a controversial form of augmentative communication. However, many of us who require touch to type have used facilitated communication for a number of years, and this form of communication has allowed us to achieve incredible progress, and has made a significant difference in our lives.