Empower Becca's Student with a Voice

Update: WOW, I’m blown away at how quickly we raised this. Thank you all so much, I’m truly so grateful. Any additional funds donated will be put toward another device for one of my students with Apraxia who does not currently have health insurance and therapy supplies. I love you all!

My name is Becca Richardson and I'm a speech-language pathologist in Nashville, TN. I work at a public charter school with the most amazing students. I'm trying to raise funds to purchase a communication device for one of my students, Kay*.

Kay is a 5th grader with a diagnosis of Autism and is currently limitedly verbal. She is a vibrant, loving, fun girl and an important member of our school. While Kay has difficulty with verbal speech, she has opinions, interests, preferences, and emotions just like any other 5th grade girl, she just has difficulty expressing these verbally.

This is where AAC (Alternative Augmentative Communication) apps come in. She's currently utilizing a communication device owned by the school that has drastically improved her ability to converse with her peers and teachers. The joy on her face when she's able to share her favorite color, answer a question during class, or ask a friend "How are you?" is truly unmatched.

As Kay moves on to middle school next school year, she will not be able to take this communication device with her. While these devices can sometimes be covered by medical insurance, this process is often arduous for families and providers to navigate and can take months and even years to be approved.

These funds will be used for the following items:

I'm hoping that in these extremely turbulent times, our community can come together and help provide life-changing support for one of our children. Anything helps and thank you for your support!

*Real names have been changed for anonymity