Tweaking speech with technology at AAC workshop – Ballito

Soak up positive energy and practical knowledge at the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) workshop at The Dragonfly Conference Centre, Simbithi Country Club from March 8 to 9.

Aimed at providing communication strategies for children who cannot rely on natural speech alone, the interactive workshop is targeted at therapists, teachers and parents said local, retired AAC specialist Dr Margaret Lilienfeld.

“Communication is a basic need, and in truth, the essence of being human. It is the key to be being able to participate in everyday life,” said Dr Lilienfeld.

“We all use many different ways to communicate, but for a child who due to a disability cannot rely on using speech, these different ways that we call AAC are critical to their social, emotional, functional and academic progress. Not being able to speak does not mean a child or adult does not have anything to say! I have been so privileged to see many lives transformed when AAC has provided a person with a “voice” to express their needs, thoughts emotions and personality.”

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The list of top presenters include AAC speech and hearing experts Jocelyn Mngomezulu and Avishana Sewrajan and occupational therapist Emma Emmerich. Nonhlanhla Ndlovu and Unathi Mtolo who use AAC to communicate will be co-presenting parts of the workshop.

On March 7 at 6.30pm a special Life is Still Beautiful parenting talk will be held by assistive technology expert, autism consultant and motivational speaker Desirae Pillay.

The dynamic power woman won the Most Inspirational Blog by SA Mommy Blogger Awards recently and is the author of A Million Beautiful Pieces.

“I grew up in an unhappy home and by the age of eighteen I became a mother.

“Being a teen mother was painfully difficult but learning that my daughter, Savannah was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and autism created a torrid period in my life.

“I mourned in silence the loss of my hopes and dreams for my daughter and for myself; as I slowly came to grips with the reality of her diagnosis,” said Pillay.

She said going through the struggle of thinking she would not be capable to parent a child with a disability chipped away at what little self-esteem she had left.

“I was forced to do what was right for Savannah first and in so doing I slowly learnt to let go of everyone else’s expectations of me. Being Savannah’s mother meant learning to fight for her in ways that took me to the ends of myself. It is a complicated struggle to figure out who you are as a parent when your child has a disability.”

Despite the tough times, she said her daughter has become an inspiration to many people from many different communities and to her.

Tickets for the evening cost R125 and bookings are essential via Margi Lilienfeld at 082 466 8254 or debbie@bloomcentre.co.za by March 4. All proceeds and any profits from the workshop go to the Bloom Centre for special needs children in Foxhill.

Dr Lilienfeld said they are happy to offer a discount to parents who cannot afford the workshop fees.

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