Lisette's Student Story

Lisette is a very charming and engaging Grade 2 student in North Vancouver who has recently discovered the power of communicating with a Voice Output Communication Aid. Prior to receiving her Springboard last year, Lisette, who is non-verbal due in part to her tracheostomy, communicated with symbols and gestures. Her communication system, however, was not able to express everything that she wanted and she struggled to make herself understood with both peers and adults. As a result, she tended to withdraw and not initiate conversations.

Her team introduced the Springboard last year but Lisette did not take to it immediately. Rosemary, her Speech Language Pathologist, worked hard to program the boards to contain messages that would interest her and help her participate in classroom activities. This year, Joanne, her enthusiastic and involved Special Education Assistant, has really integrated the device into Lisette’s program and she is using it throughout her day. Lisette is so motivated to use it now, it has become a "tug of war" when it is time to put it aside for a moment. She also uses a Step-by-Step Communicator for simple communication or to tell family news and is also using a computer with Clicker 4 for academic work like reading and journal writing.

Very recently Joanne introduced her to a Neo to see if Lisette could begin typing her spelling lists and completing other simple writing activities. With support, she immediately started typing words and is quickly learning how to find letters on the keyboard. With her motivation and enthusiasm to communicate continuing to grow, Rosemary and Joanne may be challenged to keep up with Lisette’s new found confident and outgoing personality.