Episode 336: TWT Live: ArkSHA 2024 (Part 1)

This week, we share Part 1 of Chris and Rachel’s TWT Live episode recorded at the 2024 Arkansas Speech and Hearing Association! The episode touches on several topics, including using AI to analyze language from Gestalt Language Processors, getting buy in from teachers, and more!

Before the interview, Chris and Rachel discuss the some of the controversy surrounding “revoicing,”which involves a communication partner restating or clarifying messages from an AAC user.

Key Ideas this Episode:

🔑 Revoicing as a Communication Tool: Chris and Rachel share why, from their perspective, revoicing, should be considered a legitimate component of a communication system when consented to and ratified by the AAC user. Rachel and Chris stress the importance of differentiating “revoicing” from controversial practices like facilitated communication, and call for structured guidelines to ensure ethical and effective practices in this area.

🔑 Generative AI as a Tool for Language Analysis: Chris and Rachel explored how tools like ChatGPT could assist in analyzing language development, including its potential to identify stages of Gestalt language processing. They noted the importance of educating AI tools for more accurate and insightful analysis.

🔑 Gaining Buy-In for AAC in Education: Strategies were discussed to encourage teachers to adopt AAC devices in classrooms, such as helping educators empathize with the challenges of nonverbal communication by asking if they have ever taught without their voice.