Description

M.A., CCC-SLP, with 17 years experience in a variety of pediatric settings (outpatient clinic, home health, and public schools). Currently she sees clients ranging from toddlers-young adults in the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center. Additionally she serves as the SLP for the Vanderbilt Down Syndrome Clinic Multidisciplinary team. She has a special interest in AAC evaluations and treatment, and loves collaborating with other professionals to maximize communication opportunities for clients.


Content By This Contributor

Grace Hastings

Empowering Families to Prevent Device Abandonment

In this fast-paced world of evolving technology, AAC devices are now more accessible to families than ever before. Families are reporting acquisition of devices through insurance, public school issued loans, or privately funded purchases. Beyond the initial set up and training efforts provided to families (editing a button, changing the grid size), families often report that they feel “stuck” or “lost” as to how to implement the device. During the evaluative process, parents have shared fear or concern of abandonment due to “not being the professional” and not feeling consistently supported in training protocols. All work settings come with a […]