Blogs - AssistiveWare

Overview

Inclusion is about truly leveling the playing field

Inclusion is one of those words that has a beautiful ring to it, but in practice can mean many things to many people. Inclusion is about more than putting nonverbal students in mainstream classrooms. It goes beyond physical supports, like access ramps to the local library.

1 minute read

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The power of language

Everyone communicates. Communicating with others gives us connection and control in our lives. There are many ways to communicate - with facial expressions, gestures, and words and sentences. A key factor in successful communication is having language. Language gives us the words and ways to share our own thoughts and ideas, desires, and wishes.

2 minute read

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Presuming competence: the only prerequisite to AAC

We develop Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps and have been doing so for over 10 years. Some of us have been in the field for two or three decades and, while systems have changed and improved, one roadblock to communication remains.

6 minute read

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5 of our favorite autistic bloggers

In honor of both Autism Acceptance Month and Autistic Pride Day we would like to share with you some of our favorite blogs written by autistic people. Each blogger shares a few words to introduce their blog and some of the motivations behind writing it.

2 minute read

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Interviewing the founder of Autism Acceptance Month

Paula C. Durbin-Westby is an Autistic disability rights activist who blogs, writes articles, and speaks on disability rights and autism. She started Autism Acceptance Day and Month in 2011.

9 minute read

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Autism Acceptance: Listening to autistic voices

April is Autism Acceptance Month. AssistiveWare's CEO, David Niemeijer, explains why it's important to listen to the perspectives of autistics.

3 minute read

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Challenging our assumptions about Autism and AAC

The most dangerous mistake isn't an inaccurate autism diagnosis. It's the "so you shouldn't expect much" that too often comes attached. Kit looks at assumptions made about autism and communication.

6 minute read

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Is autistic behavior always communication?

Senior editor of Thinking Person's Guide to Autism and mother of an autistic teenaged son, Shannon Des Roches Rosa, questions the mantra "behavior is communication". When are autistic behaviors communication, and when are they not?

5 minute read

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5 Guidelines for Autism Acceptance Month and beyond

The words, symbols and campaigns we see during Autism Acceptance Month remind us of the common mistakes people make when writing about autistic people. Here are some guidelines to consider.

5 minute read

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Join the Angelman Revolution!

There's a revolution going on! A communication revolution by and for people with Angelman syndrome.

5 minute read

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