A Flourishing Partnership with Quesnel – Insights from SD28 Speech Language Pathologists

Quesnel is a beautiful district in Northern B.C. It has 14 schools supported by two Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) – Lynne and Sarah. The SLPs organize regular Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) groups at various schools within the district. This Spring, the SET-BC team was invited to participate at the district’s AAC communication groups.

Quesnel School District (SD28) put in a request for SET-BC service to support numerous students for the September and January in-takes in the 2023-24 school year. Before our visit, the SET-BC team had established connections with the school teams, providing technology for students to trial (ex. TouchChat, TD Snap Motor Plan, Pictello and Book Creator), and conducting virtual training sessions.

Taking part in the AAC groups in Quesnel was an absolute delight. The SLP’s brought a portable core board to the schools. Students eagerly took turns approaching the board and pointing at “Up” or “Down,” prompting the rest of the room to obediently follow suit, either standing up or bending down. Witnessing a student, who initially focused on developing social referencing skills, now confidently point at action words and even take a moment to ensure that others attentively listened to her instructions, was truly awe-inspiring. The profound impact of technology on AAC within the district, facilitated by SET-BC, was undeniable.

We had the privilege of capturing the thoughts and reflections of the SLPs, who shared invaluable insights regarding the student’s growth since they received their technology.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sarah and Lynne for generously sharing their experiences with us. We eagerly look forward to fostering an even stronger collaboration with the Quesnel School District to support an increasing number of students in forthcoming school years!