Finding the right Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) technologies improve overall health, build confidence, and help with verbal language. When can you get a language and device consultation? What is the process of pairing the right device with an individual? Join Brad Whitmoyer as he uses his eye tracker technology and a mouse/clicker activated by his knee to share his experiences both personally and professionally. It's pretty amazing! Along with Brad, you'll hear from Jennifer Monahan, senior AAC consultant from PRC-Saltillo who talks about technology today and what we may see in the technology of tomorrow. Also, Abby Harris, a speech language pathologist from Boundless shares the profound impact she's seen these devices have on individuals and their families.
Finding the right Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) technologies improve overall health, build confidence, and help with verbal language. When can you get a language and device consultation? What is the process of pairing the right device with an individual? Join Brad Whitmoyer as he uses his eye tracker technology and a mouse/clicker activated by his knee to share his experiences both personally and professionally. It's pretty amazing! Along with Brad, you'll hear from Jennifer Monahan, senior AAC consultant from PRC-Saltillo who talks about technology today and what we may see in the technology of tomorrow. Also, Abby Harris, a speech language pathologist from Boundless shares the profound impact she's seen these devices have on individuals and their families.
Hello everyone and welcome to the wellbeing podcast brought to you by boundless. Boundless is a nonprofit that provides residential support, autism services, primary health care day programs, counseling, and a whole lot more to children and adults. Our mission is to build a world that realizes the boundless potential of all people. If you like what you're hearing, Hey, give us a great review. Wherever you listen to our episodes. I'm your host, Scott light. Hey, I gotta say this episode feels kind of like a virtual reality episode. We're kind of looking into the future. The future is here and now because we are talking about AAC, augmentative and alternative communication with three great guests. Let me introduce you to them. Abby Harris is a speech pathologist and helped create the AAC program clinic here at boundless Abby, welcome to you.
Abby Harris:Thank you.
Scott Light:It's good to have you here. Brad Whitmoyer is a business owner who uses AAC and he helps others with this technology as well. Brad, hello to you.
Brad Whitmoyer:Thank you.
Scott Light:Jennifer Monahan is an AAC consultant with PRC Saltillo, Jennifer, welcome to you.
Jennifer Monahan:Thank you.
Scott Light:Alright, so for our listeners here, let's let's get a couple of baselines. Really, these are baselines for me out of the gate keeping this simple. So Jennifer, start us off here, maybe for our folks who are hearing these terms for the first time AAC, Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Jennifer Monahan:Sure, it's, it's really just a way for someone who is either not able to speak or can speak but maybe doesn't have a lot of words or is really hard to understand. It's a tool for them to use to be able to communicate. So even though they're not able to speak, they still have quite a bit to say. And they can use AAC to do that.
Scott Light:Brad, I feel like I know you because I've watched videos, you are a superstar in some of these videos that I have seen here online. And you were using your AAC device to communicate with us to our listeners in our podcast episode right here. So again, if you would please Brad keep it simple for me. How does your technology work?
Brad Whitmoyer:I am using a vocabulary called Unity, which is a hieroglyphic vocabulary where I can combine multiple pictures and have access to something like 21,000 words by just hitting 1 to 3 buttons.
Scott Light:This is just amazing here, Abby, a promise I'm gonna get to you. We're gonna talk about the clinic here at boundless in just a second. But Jennifer, this is one of those podcasts where I wish we had video to go along with it. Describe what Brad has to do to punch in that message.
Jennifer Monahan:Sure. Currently, what Brad is doing is he's actually using his eyes with an eye tracker. So there is a camera that is projecting infrared light out to his eyes. It's invisible light, and it's reflecting back to the computer and the computer is actually tracking the location of his gaze. And then you may have noticed he's clicking with his knee on a button. And so what he's doing kind of like how we use a mouse, we might move it around the screen, and click when we're ready. He's moving the cursor around the screen with his eyes, and then he's clicking when he's ready, but he's using his knee to click the button.
Scott Light:And for our viewers, if you're just wondering the time it took for me to ask Brad that first question. It probably took maybe 20-30 seconds for him to put in. That was a lengthy response to I mean, and he was working, Brad, you were working hard over there. That was just that was just amazing. Abby, what is this like, tell us first of all about the clinic. This is just really, really cool to watch, isn't it?
Abby Harris:It's awesome. So the clinic here at boundless, we accept; anyone can come. And we start with a speech language evaluation. And then what most people need to know is this is not a simple one time visit, it takes several weeks. So then after the language evaluation, we will do a device evaluation to see if an individual is suited for; suitable for a device, but also what device so we need to figure out their access method. So are they using their eyes or their knee like Brad? Are they using their fingers? Are they using their chin and then we need to figure- we have a variety of different devices that we will try to see which one suits them. And then once we get the device covered, we will work with not only the individual but the whole team. So caregivers, parents, teachers to train them on the device. So everyone knows how to use it.
Scott Light:Boy, did you tee up my next question back to Jen to you because I was I was reading and watching testimonials on your website about how this technology really changes lives. And we'll get Brad's lived experience with this technology as well because we certainly want to hear from him. But this technology is so highly customizable too, isn't it?
Jennifer Monahan:It is. So the devices that we manufacture at PRC, Saltillo have vocabularies that come ready made with lots of good every day words that every human needs, but then you can customize them. So a very simple example would be somebody's name, someone's phone number, the name of their brother, the name of their pet, the way they like to order their coffee at Starbucks.
Scott Light:Brad, how has this technology changed your life?
Brad Whitmoyer:pretty simply put, without it, I wouldn't be able to live by myself in my own place, or run my own business, which allows me to provide for myself and rely on others less.
Scott Light:And we're going to talk about you having your own business, which is really, really cool in just a little bit. Brad, I want to ask you this, too, because I understand you've used adaptive devices for years. But this latest scanning technology has really opened up some new doors for you personally and professionally. Can you tell us a little bit more about that?
Brad Whitmoyer:I used to solely use a switch by scanning. And even though I was one of the fastest scanners, they know, it would still take an incredible amount of time to do anything. However, with the eye tracking technology, I am umpteen times faster, which then really allows me to do even more for myself and be more independent.
Scott Light:Alright, so now Brad, using words that I understand, umpteen, Okay, that's good. Thank you, Brad. Thank you. Thank you. Abby, a question that really for both you and for Jennifer here. Are there some common myths about these devices about this technology?
Abby Harris:one of the biggest ones, if we give an individual a communication device that they'll never learn to talk, and we've seen quite the opposite here, we have a program here called ELM, our early language model. And we've, given individuals, there, younger kids, communication devices, and they've really learned the strong relationship between using their communication and getting what they want. And so many of those individuals have grown with their verbal language and no longer need the communication device. And there's a lot of research out there that shows that communication devices do help with verbal language too.
Scott Light:I was just going to add to that and say it is a very common fear, I think that a lot of parents have, especially a very young children, that if someone's introducing a communication device, they're somehow giving up on the chance of that child ever speaking, or giving up on speech therapy working. But we know exactly the opposite to be true. So we have to do a lot of reassuring. We have lots of research now lots and lots of evidence based research that actually the earlier we can introduce a communication device, the more likely it is that someone might become verbal kind of hard to predict how verbal or you know if they will become verbal, but we know it's not going to take away. How early can you introduce a device like this? You know, I knew you're gonna ask me that. And I was actually thinking just about three weeks ago, I was over in Zanesville Ohio, and I worked with probably the youngest kiddo I've ever worked with before. He had a diagnosis of CHARGE Syndrome, which is a very clear diagnosis that we know he's going to struggle with speaking. And so he was 15 months old, and we were trialing a device with him. And he told his mom he wanted to eat. And then he told us he wanted to stop. 15 months is definitely the youngest I've I've come across, but it's not unusual. 18 months, 20 months, right around the age of two. Wow. And how about for the program here, Abby?
Abby Harris:At our AAC clinic we've done as young as two year olds.
Scott Light:Wow. That's tremendous. What is it like watching that arc of development for you?
Abby Harris:that their hungry or they need a break is simply amazing.
Scott Light:Brad, when did you start working with an adaptive device? How young were you?
Brad Whitmoyer:I was five when I got my first device.
Scott Light:And now looking at you're doing this eye scan technology. Looking back to when you were five was that? I mean, were you thinking you were working with like, you know, concrete tablet and the hammer. I mean?
Jennifer Monahan:pretty much.
Brad Whitmoyer:just about.
Scott Light:Technology, as we know, no matter what kind of technology we're talking about. It's not cheap. Technology cost a lot, especially when it comes to research and development. Is there assistance out there financial assistance for this type of technology?
Jennifer Monahan:There is and it does differ from state to state. So in the state of Ohio, we're actually very fortunate we have a very strong Medicaid program. So an individual who qualifies you know, with evaluation from a speech pathologist can actually get a communication device once every five years in our state as long as they still meet certain criteria. And really, quite a few insurance companies are now covering communication devices. When I came into this role almost 18 years ago, that was the opposite. Not many companies were covering communication devices, I think they considered it a luxury item, you know, a convenience item. But we've come around to the realization that when you give somebody a voice, they can tell you when they're sick, and where they're hurting, and when they're sad, and all of those things add up to better health. So, overall, you know, we still have some battles to fight. But overall, we're in much better shape than we used to be.
Scott Light:Abby, what's the reaction that you see from parents? And from family members? Who see this technology work? Maybe, you know, for those first times, and for those momentous times, like you said, when a young person says, Happy Father's Day, Happy Mother's Day.
Abby Harris:It's so heartwarming, it's great to see. There's so many stories of family life being easier at home, individuals being able to get what they want, and parents being able to see that connection with their kids again.
Scott Light:Is there a learning curve for the parents as well?
Abby Harris:Yes. So like any technology, it takes a little bit to learn, but we provide extensive trainings and parents learn with their kids.
Scott Light:Yeah, when I have an issue with any Apple product, I consult my two college age kids. So is that what is that what parents often do when it comes to this technology? I mean, I'm sure they have plenty of questions, right?
Abby Harris:It is funny because I've had quite a few parents that have actually had the sibling help them with, you know, programming a new word in the device or, you know, problem solving on the device. But yeah, we you know, boundless does a really good job supporting their families at PRC Saltillo. We take great pride in that - spending as much time as we need to make sure our family is comfortable.
Scott Light:Well, I understand that really, the tech expert in the room is Brad. Brad, tell us about the business that you own here, and the services you provide.
Brad Whitmoyer:I started my business about 16 years ago, I think. It started out being just a website building business, but quickly grew into other services. I can do anything from building websites, to writing programs to repair. I am also a contractor for the PRC, Saltillo company where I do a very wide range of things such as assisting users with advanced problems, helping with projects and content development.
Scott Light:I think Brad's been looking at my script here. Because that tees up the question I had very next on my list, because I understand, Brad, you and Jennifer, your co workers, right? How did this come about?
Jennifer Monahan:Well, let's see. When I started, almost 18 years ago, as I said, I met Brad, he was coming in to see a speech pathologist, because he needed his current device replaced. And I knew immediately that he was going to teach me way more than I was ever going to teach him. And so over the next couple years after that, you know, we would just kind of keep in touch, I would ask him questions, I would say, hey, you know, I've got such and such, you know, using a device over in this school district, and we're struggling, what do you think about that? And it became very clear that having him as part of our team to problem solve as an actual device user was just amazing. And so we I think we asked originally for him to have an allowance of maybe 10 hours a month or something like that to help us. And now it's almost 40 hours a week. And, and he's not helping just me, he's now helping all of all of the consultants around the country who do what I do and works with a lot of our customers directly. Families directly, he's working on something for a family here in Hilliard right now. So that their son can access his device a little more easily.
Scott Light:And Brad, is Jennifer a good coworker?
Brad Whitmoyer:Absolutely.
Jennifer Monahan:Good answer.
Scott Light:Abby, talk about the proficiency that comes when a new piece of technology comes out. You have somebody here at Boundless, who's maybe introduced to it. And I asked that in the sense that we're watching Brad here. He is obviously really proficient with this technology. As the technology gets more sophisticated, does it also get easier?
Abby Harris:That's the goal. I think, with PRC, and DynaVox, and all the different device companies, they keep coming out with newer and newer technology to make life easier for the individuals that use these devices.
Scott Light:Jennifer, maybe you can address that, too.
Jennifer Monahan:Yeah, I think also, we talk a lot about motor planning when someone's getting used to where a word is on a screen, for example. You know, kind of like those of us who are two hand typers that keyboard felt very foreign when we first learned, you know, where the Q and the T and the S and all those were, now most of us can do that with our eyes closed, we can just put our fingers right out and we can type a message. And we try to achieve that same automaticity with a communication device. So for example, when someone learns a new word, we try to leave that word in the same place, we don't move it around too much. We have our clear keys and our go back buttons and things like that in strategic places that don't change. So the goal is they get very automatic over time.
Scott Light:Brad, let me ask a personal question, if you permit me to do so when you're not busy working, when you're not busy working with Jennifer, when you're not busy running your own business? What else do you like to do?
Brad Whitmoyer:I typically like to do or learn about nerdy stuff, such as how to program circuit boards, or think of gadgets I can make for myself that improve either my own or someone else's independence.
Jennifer Monahan:Don't forget skydiving.
Scott Light:Wait a minute. Wait, wait a minute, Brad. I'm a former journalist. You did what's called bury the lede. There. You are a skydiver?
Brad Whitmoyer:I've only been once about 15 years ago. Kind of found it boring. So I haven't gone again, because I would like to find somebody who will take me higher than 10,000 feet.
Scott Light:Brad found skydiving boring. Okay, that's what we've learned here. Okay, all right. And he wants to go higher than 10,000 feet. Okay, well, well, well, we know what's also on his bucket list then. I began this episode by saying it has such a futuristic feel. I really do wish we had cameras in here. However, I do know that boundless is putting together a video of this podcast. So our listeners are going to be able to see parts of what we were doing in our podcast studio here. So it's really, really cool. So let me button it up this way to all three of you. What is next? What's the next big thing? When it comes to this technology? What's next on the horizon? Abby? What are you looking for?
Abby Harris:I just love when the device companies come out with newer and newer technology that makes it easier for the individuals every day.
Jennifer Monahan:There's so many things. You know, I think we're all looking for longer lasting batteries. Someone like Brad who's using a communication device, they might be using that device 9-10 hours a day. And so the batteries are heavy. And that's just been a problem with our industry for a long time. So we're waiting for that technology to catch up give us longer lasting batteries with nice loudspeakers that can handle that.
Abby Harris:Do you remember a long time ago when they were the big heavy devices?
Jennifer Monahan:Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Abby Harris:Those were like five pounds.
Jennifer Monahan:Yeah, I think Brad's first device was half the size of his body.
Abby Harris:I think more durable devices for our individuals that come to our center. We have a lot of individuals that engage in high aggression and just property destruction and for we're waiting for device companies to come out with more durable they already do but a little more to help our individuals not have their devices break and have to send them in and wait.
Scott Light:Well, Brad, again, you're the expert in the room here. What is next? What's what's on the horizon? When it comes to this technology? Heck you may invent it.
Brad Whitmoyer:I would probably say my want would be more compact, which is a little loaded question because there are smaller devices already. However, when you are using eye tracking for 12 plus hours a day, smaller devices become a strain on the eyes. So not sure how but somehow keep that strain down with smaller devices.
Scott Light:Well, I am just blown away by all three of you and Brad you are just a total Rockstar thank you to all three of you for being here to our listeners thank you as well. We always love hearing from you our listeners you can be part of episodes to come email us your questions or comments at podcast at Iamboundless.org and again don't forget to give us a review that's yet another way we want to hear from you. This is the wellbeing podcast brought to you by Boundless.