AAC & Communication
Explore communication tools, AAC devices, and practical strategies that help every individual connect, express themselves, and be heard.
This page is still being remixed.
We’re building this space between appointments, school meetings, snack requests, podcast planning, and real life.
In other words: we’re still parents living the remix.
Check back soon — this page is coming together.
PODCAST EPISODES
Episodes to help you feel informed, supported, and a little less alone.
In Episode 09, Staci and Nate share about life with their family and daughters McKenzie and Amelia. The family first learned of Amelia’s Down syndrome diagnosis at birth. They talk honestly about communication, elopement and safety, public reactions, community support, and why the diagnosis may be the least interesting thing about her.
In Episode 08, pediatric physical therapists Emily, Brittney, and Katelyn share practical ways caregivers can protect their bodies during lifts, transfers, floor work, and everyday care. They also discuss equipment, individualized treatment, emerging therapies, and why pediatric PT means supporting the whole family.
In this mini-episode, Declan and Liam share what it is like to have a cousin with Rett syndrome, from communicating through eye gaze to creating tools with a 3D printer and finding familiar lessons in a book they read at school. Their perspective is a simple reminder that disability may change how someone participates, but not the need to play, connect, and belong.
In Episode 6, Tami and Donnie share how they became caregivers and guardians for Tami's younger sister, Lori, after decades of care by her parents and the recent death of their mother. Their story explores sibling caregiving, guardianship, estate planning, and the difference between having a plan on paper and living it every day.
In Episode 5, Allison and Brendan share about their life with their daughters, Anya and Clare. Clare was diagnosed with Rett syndrome just as the world shut down in 2020 for COVID. From the less-visible demands of raising a mobile child with complex needs to Allison's powerful distinction between “momming” and caregiving, their story reminds us that everyone has their own version of hard.
In Episode 4, we sit down with Susan Norwell and Kourtney Barnum from Rett University to explore the transformative world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Episode 3 features Dianne, mom to 8-year-old Dru, who lives with Au-Kline syndrome. We discuss the challenges of an ultra-rare diagnosis, navigating life with AAC, and the value of asking for help along the way.
ARTICLES & STORIES
Helpful articles and real-life stories to guide you through your journey.
We talk with experts at May We Help about creating custom, adapted Halloween costumes for wheelchair users.
What do physical therapists want caregivers to know? We unpack this topic and discuss caregiver care, safe transfers, equipment, and how the whole care team can work together.
In Episode 6, we sat down with Tami and Donnie, who recently became guardians and primary caregivers for Tami's youngest sister, Lori. Lori has Rett syndrome and recently celebrated her 58th birthday.
Their conversation gave us a rare look at sibling caregiving across an entire lifetime - from growing up together, to helping aging parents, to planning the transfer of guardianship, to building a new daily life after the passing of a longtime parent caregiver.
In Episode 5, Allison and Brendan share about their life with their daughters, Anya and Clare. Clare was diagnosed with Rett syndrome just as the world shut down in 2020 for COVID. From the less-visible demands of raising a mobile child with complex needs to Allison's powerful distinction between “momming” and caregiving, their story reminds us that everyone has their own version of hard.
For many families, the start of a new school year is filled with excitement. Fresh school supplies, new teachers, and the promise of new friendships make it a season of anticipation.
For families of children with Rett syndrome, however, back-to-school often brings a very different set of emotions and challenges.
We’re here to help.
Social games can be a great way for an eye gaze user to engage with their peers. All it takes is a little creativity and the willingness to do things a little different.
In Episode 3, Dianne shares how her daughter Dru’s ultra-rare Au-Kline syndrome diagnosis led their family to community, advocacy, early specialist care, and AAC, reminding us that rare families often learn, adapt, and advocate together.
In Episode 2 of The Rare Remix Podcast, we were joined by Karen, a single parent of three: 15-year-old twins Christian and Caden, and 30-year-old Lynzie, who has Rett syndrome.
Rett syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that can cause developmental regression, loss of spoken language, motor impairments, and reduced functional hand use. Abilities and support needs vary, but many people with Rett syndrome require significant assistance with everyday activities.
From Medicaid maps to insurance appeals, appointment follow-up and planning for the future, we use AI to make complicated work more manageable—without handing over human decisions.
In Episode 10, Sarah joins us to share life with her daughter, Aleah, who has Rett syndrome. We talk about the journey of Aleah’s diagnosis, appealing Medicaid denials, and making room for camp, costumes, and everyday joy. We also discuss caring for a child while facing her own cancer diagnosis, learning to accept help, and finding a community that shows up.