I hate how people believe that AAC will automatically fix and make everything better. Like it’s this magical thing that will fix all your problems. And I’m mostly referring to the parts of the community that are mostly speaking people. I realize completely that AAC could help a LOT in these situations, but sometimes, it can cause more harm than good.
This is just in my observations and experience, but the amount of ableism that AAC users experience is ridiculous. The amount of people who believe that if you use AAC, you are this zoo animal who has suddenly gained a talent and must be stared at and gawked at.
AAC will NOT fix your family problems. Your family will still be ableist. AAC will not fix all your speech problems, you will still have speech problems. AAC is hard to figure out. AAC will not make everything better, and I’m tired of people acting like it’s some magical thing that will. Will it make your life easier if you’re nonverbal or nonspeaking and NEED a way to communicate? Absolutely. But that doesn’t change the other shit.
I have read nonverbal and those with very limited speech discuss how they are often hung up on on the phone because their aac sounds like a robot, that they are at massive risk of police brutality as a result of seeming "disrespectful" or "dangerous", that they are left behind in conversation constantly because they take longer to communicate (esp those who may use pictures/word folders instead of typing, and/or those who may have physical disabilities that affect their speed at typing/tapping/searching for the words they need).
yes ! Before Pixie get Sunshine , just going for walk could get Pixie murdered by Police officers . because . Pixie have very few chooses in how to communicate with them . and . no safety in any choice made .
1- Use Pixie sign and hope them not shoot Pixie for “ waveing hands around “ when was told to stop moving and answer questions .
2- Try getting AAC device , Or communication cards , out from bag Or pocket . and . hope them not shoot Pixie for “ Possibly reaching for weapon “ .
3- just walking away , risk getting murdered for “ not doing what am supposed to “ and “ running means am not innocent , but an actual criminal “
Pixie have had these things happen to Pixie . and . been very very very very very lucky to be able run away quickly enough to be safe every time this happens . Pixie lucky in so many ways .
Pixie keep hearing about more and more nonverbal autism people , especially black men , who have been murdered , or shot , by Police officers .
And . Pixie walk kind of different … people can definitely tell there be something wrong . and so many people they Call Police officer s , usually because assume is drugs makeing Pixie behave strangely
the reality of being nonverbal is often so awful and scary …