augmentative alternative communication autistic rachel madel

EPISODE 120
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
for Autistic and Neurodivergent Children:
A Discussion with Rachel Madel, MA, CCC-SLP

Play the Episode…

Show Notes

One of the most exciting areas of innovation over the past few decades for children and adults with communication challenges and their families is augmentative and alternative communication options. Barry and Dave discuss a wide range of issues related to AAC with Rachel Madel, a speech-language pathologist who focuses on AAC in her LA – based practice serving children and adult clients, and their families.

Featuring

Rachel Madel

RACHEL MADEL

Rachel Madel M.A.,CCC-SLP is an LA-based speech-language pathologist dedicated to coaching parents and professionals on incorporating technology to best support speech and language development. Rachel presents both nationally and abroad on the use of augmentative alternative communication (AAC) and coaches parents, clinicians and teachers on integrating assistive technology in classrooms and at home to support communication. She co-hosts a weekly podcast called “Talking With Tech” and creates educational resources, therapy materials and courses to help support parents and professionals. Her work has been featured in the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC), United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC), Autism Parenting Magazine, Sensational Brain, Closing the Gap and others.

Learn more about Rachel on her website

…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1)  How does Rachael define augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)? Is this consistent with your understanding, and if not, how is it different? Anything you would add to her definition?

2) In supporting families, what are some of the major points that Rachael makes to help families embrace possibilities with AAC for their child? What are some of the natural misunderstandings about AAC that some parents and family members may have, that need to be addressed? How does Rachael explain the difference between parent training versus coaching? As a parent or professional, have you experienced such differences?

3) What does Rachel discuss as the major benefits that she has observed in children once they become more competent in using AAC? Is this consistent with your experiences as a parent, professional, or user of AAC?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.