Slade Helwig - DynaVox: Autism AAC Success Story

Slade Helwig is a happy, engaging young boy in Phoenix living with the effects of autism. Thanks to his DynaVox, the frustration that stemmed from his inability to communicate has been greatly diminished. Today, Slade is able to tell his mother that he loves her, be a successful student and interact with friends.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• slade helwig
• dynavox
• autism
• autistic
• communication
• speech
• speech generating device
• aac
• aac device
• communication device
• speech device

[jaydy11]

One of my best friends is disabled and uses a dynavox. He's really cool and I'm glad to see how dynavox's have come in good use for others!

[WHHS2002]

this may sound stupid but can autism kids learn how to sign? or is it better for them to use a communicate device?

[mommymago]

Thanks for sharing your video. I work with a non-verbal kindergarten child and we are slowly bringing in the dynavox into his daily routine.

The reaction from his little friend first time he was able to ask a friend to play using the dynavox was pure magic!

[EvilTodd]

@WHHS2002

My son signs, but as far as communication, his Dynavox is a tool he can use when communicating with people who do not sign (which is mostly everyone).

[missangie29]

Hi i hope you don't mind me responding ..My son Thomas has severe autism he is 11 and his speech is limited, he picked up sign language that was being done for other children rather than him because they just wanted to work on his speech..so yeah they can sign ...Thomas loves to sign 'Nanny' the most !

[SLPGuru]

Great success story! It is nice to see a child who has autism using an AAC device so well!

[Kumari58787]

aw, he looked sad when he said goodbye

[Kumari58787]

Many of my non-verbal friends use them

[lcl176]

dude i live in phonix too i leave in south phonex i have a disobilty too i have kubuki too.

[1210donna]

Hi Slade, wonderful you know have your voice. There are a number of wonderful writers who use a communicator like you do. Lucy Blackman, Richard Attfield, Alberto Frugone... so many.  I hope you come to realise your dreams.

Warmly,

Donna Williams *)