Reblogging This Because I Needed To Hear It

I want to talk about using AAC in public. This post wont have much about my personal experiences, it'll mostly be tips for AAC users using AAC in public. This post also is specifically referring to high tech AAC, not things like communication cards.

1. Being prepared is very important to successful communication in public (In general too, but in public especially!). This means making sure that your AAC device is charged and ready to use. It is also helpful to have a backup AAC in case your device malfunctions or runs out of battery. For example, you might have a printed version of your communication board, or maybe a backup app on your phone. This has been helpful for me a few times, I personally use the second option of having a backup app on my phone.

2. Prepare to probably have to repeat yourself if in a louder environment. You might need to turn up your devices volume or repeat yourself in noisy or crowded environments. It can be helpful to use headphones or earbuds to hear your device better in loud environments, I have personally never done this, but I think if you are only talking to one person, using wireless bluetooth earbuds from your device to them should work. If this doesn't work for you, and full volume still isnt loud enough, having the person you are speaking to view your message window might be helpful.

3. Be patient. Communication using AAC can take longer than oral speech. Becoming frustrated is perfectly understandable, and I become frustrated with my device taking longer sometimes too, but if you try your best to be patient with yourself, you'll likely be able to express and communicate better.

4. Use visual aids! Visual aids can be helpful for communicating as a nonspeaking person in public. For example, if you are trying to order food at a restaurant, you might use a picture of the item you want to order.

5. It is important to advocate for yourself and your communication needs. This might mean informing others of your communication needs and asking for accommodations. For example, you might ask for a quieter table at a restaurant so your device is more audible, or perhaps acsess to a charger in case it dies.

6. Practice. This tip isnt exclusive to using AAC publically, but it is really helpful for doing so. If you are learning another language, practicing will make you more efficient and fluent. The same goes for AAC! Practicing will mean you can find buttons easier, and therefore communicate faster.

7. This one.. isnt a tip. I just wanted to say that people WILL stare, and be confused, but that you are amazing, and your device is amazing. Don't be embarrassed of using AAC.

A reminder that you are only human. Stop bottling everything when it’s too much.

just because my aac device is a phone, doesn't mean it is any less crucial that i have it with me.

just because you understand what it is like to have your phone die. and understand that you've lost access to important text and call communication, as well as photos, bank stuff, social media etc, does NOT mean you get to say you know what it's like when my phone dies.

yeah, your phone has emotional and functional significance to you,

🌹but this is my fucking voice.

“glued to his phone” “so much screen time” "get off your phone and have a real conversation for once"

🌹this is my voice.

Some things I do to help manage my depression after a manic episode:

Find a good audiobook to listen to so i don't have to waste energy actually reading

Limit my time on social media

Let myself indulge in video games when I'm off work

Always have frozen foods for any meal in the freezer. I have pancakes and these honey meat and cheese crescent rolls I made for breakfast. I have random staples for other meals like diced cooked chicken, different types of veggies, mini potstickers, egg rolls, a pizza, etc

Stay stocked up with all sorts of soups. Sometimes a hot bowl of nutritious soup will set me right for an hour or so

Stretch in the morning and try to have a sip of water after

Use a water flosser and mouth wash when I don't want to brush my teeth

I like to make pasta sauce in bulk and freeze it so I always have fresh pasta sauce on hand

I make indulgent dessert teas with way too much sugar and chocolate

Make myself do a single chore a day no matter how awful it is. I sometimes cry the entire time even. Just 1 though dealers choice. I usually make the bed or do a load of laundry if I'm out of underwear

Blast music

If I feel the need to hurt myself, I do an intense workout instead

Sit in a small, dark room with a soft blanket and let myself be angry and sad and cry and kick and yell. I find being able to get the emotions out like this helps me a lot

Go to bed early and sleep in a bit

Play games on my phone instead of doomscrolling

Make myself have a glass of water in between other drinks so I can at least be semi hydrated. I get dehydrated very easy and it makes my mental worse

Give myself sweet treats as rewards. Things I normally wouldn't ever get

Go sit by the water and watch the snails or crabs walk around

Everyone is different so these things may or may not help you and that's ok. I'm just sharing things that help me. Some definitely take a lot of energy to do and I've found that pushing myself a little more every day helps me recover faster as long as it's paired with plenty of sleep and rest otherwise.

Night of the Living Dead (1990) dir. Tom Savini

all your stuffed animals love you. they're not sad if they're in a box, or on the floor, or not held/played with as much. they understand. they know that you might need another stuffie more, or that you don't have enough space. they're just happy to be with you, and if you ever give them away, they'll be happy there too. stuffies are for comfort. they understand. they love you too. it's okay.

I am jealous of those who think more deeply, who write better, who draw better, who look better, who live better, who love better than I.

-Sylvia Plath

if USPS has a million fans, I'm one of them

if USPS has 5 fans, I'm one of them

if USPS has 1 fan, that is me

if USPS has no fans, I'm no longer alive

if the world is against USPS I'm against the entire world

till my last breath I support USPS

I joke but actually USPS is the literal lifeline for so many housebound disabled people who receive lifesaving medications through it- especially housebound people in rural areas. so many private shipping companies do not serve rural areas. try getting anyone else to drive hours into the middle of nowhere to deliver. try it. not all disabled people live in urban areas. USPS saves disabled lives ‼️ without USPS many housebound disabled people will die.

USPS is a disability rights issue

I love this so much, they are all so pretty 🩷

All the Historical Mermay’s together!

I had a lot of fun with this mermay prompt list by chloe.z.arts and they turned into a pretty cool collection of illustrations!

Prompt list by chloe.z.arts on instagram.

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram.com/ellenartistic or tiktok: @ellenartistic