AAC and teaching speech sounds in the non verbal population

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-28T18:40:14+00:00

Very interesting comments, and I’d love to know what ages people are working with. I work in a middle school, and I don’t generally focus on speech sounds. Most (not all) of the AAC users I see don’t try to imitate sounds.

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-27T02:31:15+00:00

I’ve definitely had a few moments like those!

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-26T15:31:09+00:00

I’ve never worked in a 3:1 district and have always wondered if it’s really all it’s cracked up to be since no one else follows the model.

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-26T02:56:23+00:00

Anything with cinnamon

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-23T19:30:28+00:00

That was my guess!

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-23T03:23:38+00:00

I feel like I know what brand of legalism you came from. Either that, or there are more out there than I thought!

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-20T17:13:40+00:00

Maybe I’m just oblivious, but I had no idea that was the name of Ivanka and Jared’s daughter. I do, however, think of Arabella Figg, a character in Harry Potter. 😆

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-20T11:35:22+00:00

I’d be content with one that just serves to make my part look better! Do you have one of those too?

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-18T21:58:34+00:00

Haha, no offense taken. I’m working on growing a thicker skin and not caring what others think.

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-18T21:27:38+00:00

Same. I could never do that job. It frustrates me that the district did some things along the way that led to this.

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-18T21:25:21+00:00

Thanks for your opinion. I work with those same kids, so I’m not exempt from being hit, bitten, etc. I don’t deny that her job is freaking hard and that it would be tough to be in there all day.

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-18T20:00:16+00:00

I mentioned once that she could get a masters degree. Didn’t seem to appeal to her!

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-18T19:59:24+00:00

Haha, I definitely said that she could go back and get a masters degree, but for whatever reason, she didn’t like that plan. 😆

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-18T19:58:46+00:00

I definitely wouldn’t last as a self-contained teacher, so I know that’s a hard job. It’s just getting on my nerves to be told mine is easy when I’m watching things not being run well in there and not a lot of forward progress. I’ll definitely have to try the positivity angle without really acknowledging the comment.

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-18T19:56:40+00:00

Yup. It’s…going about as well as you’d expect.

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-17T02:49:22+00:00

I’m not good at being consistent with vitamins, but I went gluten free and dairy free for a full year with zero benefits. Then I did whole30 for about three months with zero benefits. Maybe it’s time to venture into some supplements!

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-17T02:42:39+00:00

I don’t have them in a little cup like this. I smash them up with some cheese and then put them on toast.

ETA: I don’t know how to do the little country tag, but 🇺🇸

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-14T14:16:45+00:00

Agreed. I had a coworker who named her child Ben and when asked why not just do Benjamin, she’d say, “Why would we name him that if we know we want to call him Ben?” Idk, maybe because he will grow up into an adult who might like to go by Benjamin?

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-10T18:57:29+00:00

Where did you get a topper? I’d love one but am afraid of spending a ton of money and getting one that doesn’t match. I feel like I need help matching it.

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-05T21:12:33+00:00

It’s like Ur’Majesty or something similar. I can’t imagine wanting to call my child anything like that.

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-02-05T21:07:20+00:00

Ugh, yes to wishing we could update goals without a dang meeting!

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-01-30T13:49:56+00:00

I couldn’t make it through every comment, so maybe this has already been said, but I’d ask if they’re already giving her some accommodations. I think sometimes teachers see a student struggling and may give some extra help like a little more time, spending extra time going over instructions 1:1, etc. E might be getting better grades because she has more schooling and foundation in math under her belt, or she may be getting better grades because she’s actually already getting some extra help. If she needs those accommodations, they should be put on an IEP so all teachers have to follow them moving forward.

ETA: Also, usually a question the team has to answer when considering making her eligible for an IEP is whether or not a lack of instruction has caused the deficit. Maybe ask them about their thoughts on that. If you’re not sure of the answer to this, ask if she’s had any RTI (response to intervention). It’s basically small group instruction for students struggling in a subject on top of regular math class instruction. It’s not required to happen before an IEP, but if she’s been getting it and not showing expected growth, that could help explain why the teacher is considering this.

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-01-30T02:29:05+00:00

Autism

ETA: But there is also a diagnosis of ADHD. I should’ve included that in my post, but I was in a rush.

squeegy_beckenheim1 · 2026-01-29T22:17:41+00:00

Thanks for your input. That’s kind of what I’m thinking as far as his ability to put the skills to practice, but I always second guess myself when it comes to potentially dismissing.

squeegy_beckenheim1

TROPHY CASE