Tasha has a wonderful, contagious sense of humor.

Being limited to a manual communication book with five or six pictures per page for the past 10 years that she was physically unable to access is probably the biggest challenge Tasha has ever faced.  Her only other means of communication was to vocalize the seven to eight words she could produce using speech. The frustration of being unable to communicate could become so unbearable that she bit her hand daily, resulting in injuries that could take weeks to heal. Upon obtaining the Vanguard (starting with the trial period) this level of frustration was eliminated. There have been no more injuries.

I have seen greatly improved communication and language skills in Tasha. Mastering the Vanguard with Unity has been a major part of Tasha’s goals the past year.  She is using two-switch step scanning with a pillow speaker for auditory prompts.   She has had some limited opportunities to use a computer. A current goal is to increase computer skills, including learning to use email.  Plans are in place for her to start working with an occupational therapist to learn to use her Vanguard to access a computer, which will assist her with increasing her language, learning to email friends and family, etc.

The Vanguard has opened the door for Tasha not only with the power of language, but through increased feelings of competence, self-esteem, and level of control in her life. The capacity to communicate and her use of what appears to many people as a complex piece of equipment changes perceptions that will be critical for her as she increases independence over the next couple of years. I believe Tasha will be living more independently, and participating in other activities, meeting and making new friends.

Natasha acquired her Vanguard through an AAC evaluation that was completed with a team including Tasha, her parents, SLP, OT, and seating specialist. A trial was completed, and prior authorization was submitted for purchase. Initially denied by Medical Assistance, a letter of appeal was written, and subsequently, the AAC system was approved.

Tasha enjoys any opportunity to socialize with others, shopping, and jewelry. She collects “t-shirts with attitude,” referred to as her "tude" shirts. The t-shirt collecting has been and continues to be a fun activity that Tasha and her mother share together. They go shopping at the mall hunting for tudes (T-shirts with attitude).  Natasha has a collection probably in the neighborhood of 100 or more t-shirts.  With her Vanguard now to communicate, her mother has programmed the tude shirts in an Activity Row. Tasha picks out her tude shirt each evening for the next day. At her last day of speech therapy we added to her collection of tudes, “Get Serious, I Speak for Myself!”  She is an AAC Hero!

Nominated by:

Anita Schermer, SLP