October is AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Month, celebrated yearly to emphasise how people communicate. Communication comes in many forms, and AAC Month highlights the many methods most AAC users use, including communication devices, communication books, sign language, body language, gestures and facial expressions.
Bodhi is a multimodal communicator who accesses home and living, and day options supports at The Disability Trust. He uses a PODD (Pragmatic Organised Dynamic Display) system and visual communication cards with facial expressions and natural gestures as forms of communication. Using communication cards and PODD to communicate with his communication partners, Bodhi talks about things that are important to him, like the people in his life, the activities he enjoys participating in and what is happening. He can ask and respond to questions, make choices about his life, and comments on things that he finds interesting. These methods of communication also create an opportunity for him and his supports to spend meaningful time together.
Mel, Team Leader at Jarrah Day Options, says, “Though Bodhi is non-verbal, his voice is as clear as day through his innovative use of augmentative and alternative communication methods, including his visual communication cards and PODD system.” With the support of staff at Jarrah, Bodhi is mastering the art of engaging in longer, more meaningful conversations, whether sharing a laugh, asking questions, or simply enjoying the company of friends. “His PODD system opens the door to richer conversations, allowing him to share his thoughts, preferences, and feelings easily. Each day, Bodhi is gaining confidence and independence, proving that everyone has a voice that deserves to be heard.” Mel said.
Bodhi is also one of the targeted interviewees in a research project titled ‘What makes it stick? A pilot project to explore the factors that enable adults living with severe intellectual disability and communication impairments to communicate multifunctionally’, by The University of Wollongong in collaboration with The Disability Trust. Led by Associate Professor Shoshana (Shooshi) Dreyfus and Dr Shawn Burns from UOW and The Disability Trust’s Keely Honner (also employed by UOW for the research project) and Tarryn Bracken, the project aims to understand what has enabled adults with severe intellectual disability who are non-verbal to be able to communicate multifunctionally. Bodhi’s involvement in the research project will allow the researchers to understand the factors that have supported people with disability in achieving multifunctional communication.
