This month's "FlagHouse Forum" focuses on how to choose the communicator best-suited to a child's special need. FlagHouse--a premier global supplier of resources for special needs, education, physical activity and recreation--is pleased to partner with "Exceptional Parent" to bring its readers this informational forum. Humans communicate with each…

The author shares the story of Megan Fry of The Woodlands, Texas, a pioneer among young artists with disabilities. Megan wanted to enter the Montgomery County Beatification Association's (MCBA) 2010 Arbor Day poster contest, but the rules prohibited computer-based art. That posed a dilemma because cerebral palsy prevents Megan from speaking and…

A mix of technologies and human dynamics can make good communication a workplace reality when workers cannot take for granted that they'll be understood. As more people using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) because of significant speech impairment pursue traditional paid, volunteer, and self-employment, their concerns reflect…

This article presents the story of Chad Roberts of Canton, Georgia, who is proving himself a promising employee day by day. He works several jobs in increments of up to 90 minutes. Some days, he completes bulk mailings at a law firm. On others, he's at local restaurants stocking the wait staff stations with supplies. The community-based vocational…

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices can be of huge benefit to people with verbal communication challenges and is applicable in making a living space more accessible. This article presents the story of Sara Pyszka. Sara, 22, wanted a place where she could dance in her wheelchair with no onlookers and have friends over to watch…

As a pediatric physical therapist, the author usually hears this question, "Now What?," after months of frustration as parents attempt to figure out the procedure of getting an item for their child. Unfortunately, there is not a specific answer except "it depends," which can be just as frustrating as the question at hand. Typically, a piece of…

Madison is a four-year-old child who was born with cerebral palsy and cortical vision impairment. As a result, she has limited use of her extremities and is just starting to walk with assistance. She is predominately non-verbal, with the exception of a few words. This article describes how Island Dolphin Care (IDC), a nonprofit agency in Key…

Frequently linked to sophisticated speech communication devices resembling laptop computers, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) encompasses a spectrum of tools and strategies ranging from pointing, writing, gestures, and facial expressions to sign language, manual alphabet boards, picture symbols, and photographs used to convey…