All Access to Communication
Donation protected
At 13 years old, Adrian has found his voice for the first time. Prior to that we would hear one word utterances, pointing, grunting and a very rare, mumbled 2-3 word phrase. We knew that there was much more inside that he wanted to communicate to others. Nonverbal Autism and other nonverbal communication disorders can be isolating for children and adults. We would see acting out, tantrums and bad behaviors when his need to communicate was too great for him to take.
We have tried every other method of communication and none have come close to the success that Adrian is having right now. Since bringing a Certified Instructor to our home to teach us about Facilitated Communication (FC) we have discovered more about what Adrian knows. He has been able to tell us about his feelings. He's been able to share that he needs new glasses or when he feels a seizure coming on.
Prior to FC we would have to guess at what he wanted to say or what he needed. He's even been able to make and communicate with friends, and has gotten the opportunity to attend regular school. He is making great progress and needs further instruction to help him to type more quickly and to eventually type on his own (without the help of a facilitator).
We also want to provide this opportunity to other nonverbal children and adults in our area. It is so much easier to help someone communicate effectively than have to guess at their needs when you see negative or unusual behaviors.
Insurance doesn't pay for this instruction and schools are slow to provide it, if they will at all. There are very few FC instructors, and none in our area. The certified instructor travels from 3 hours away to provide this instruction.
Our goal is to make this method of communication accessible to all who want to try it.
We want to bring Lisa Romaine, a Certified FC Instructor to South Jersey to help more nonverbal children and adults find their voice. We need $2500 to help evaluate more children and provide seminars for their parents and caregivers.
We have tried every other method of communication and none have come close to the success that Adrian is having right now. Since bringing a Certified Instructor to our home to teach us about Facilitated Communication (FC) we have discovered more about what Adrian knows. He has been able to tell us about his feelings. He's been able to share that he needs new glasses or when he feels a seizure coming on.
Prior to FC we would have to guess at what he wanted to say or what he needed. He's even been able to make and communicate with friends, and has gotten the opportunity to attend regular school. He is making great progress and needs further instruction to help him to type more quickly and to eventually type on his own (without the help of a facilitator).
We also want to provide this opportunity to other nonverbal children and adults in our area. It is so much easier to help someone communicate effectively than have to guess at their needs when you see negative or unusual behaviors.
Insurance doesn't pay for this instruction and schools are slow to provide it, if they will at all. There are very few FC instructors, and none in our area. The certified instructor travels from 3 hours away to provide this instruction.
Our goal is to make this method of communication accessible to all who want to try it.
We want to bring Lisa Romaine, a Certified FC Instructor to South Jersey to help more nonverbal children and adults find their voice. We need $2500 to help evaluate more children and provide seminars for their parents and caregivers.
Organizer
Heather Aschmann
Organizer
Estell Manor, NJ
