Awe and Wonder Podcast: AAC & AT

S9E2: Neurodiversity in Education and Life with Lauren Enders Gonzales

What does the future of neurodiversity look like? In this episode, Brenda and Sarah sit down with Lauren Enders Gonzales to explore this idea and tackle the hard questions about how we support neurodivergent AAC users. Lauren unpacks how educators and therapists often project their own agendas onto device customization and implementation and shares how we can reintroduce authentic curiosity into our sessions. Featuring real-world examples from her own therapy practice, Lauren also breaks down how to write measurable goals that reflect what matters most to the student—leaving compliance-based metrics behind.  Episode Resources Does This AAC Goal Matter? Checklist Questions: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFQozTAFE8/Ns2RqfEtovR5Dz_oSYPLdQ/view?utm_content=DAFQozTAFE8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hf574c5b313 [https://www.canva.com/design/DAFQozTAFE8/Ns2RqfEtovR5Dz_oSYPLdQ/view?utm_content=DAFQozTAFE8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hf574c5b313] Learn about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): https://pdanorthamerica.org/ [https://pdanorthamerica.org/] Declarative Language Handbook, by Linda Murphy https://www.declarativelanguage.com/about-declarative-language-handbook

S9E1: Neurodiversity in Education and Life with Sara Ayars

In episode S9E1 of the Awe and Wonder Podcast, we sit down with fellow Speech-Language Pathologist Sara Ayars. Sara brings a beautifully unique perspective to the conversation, blending her professional clinical expertise with her personal journey as a parent to a neurodiverse child. She shares actionable, neurodiversity-affirming strategies—like the power of co-regulation and the shift toward declarative language—that are designed to support and empower both the child and the parent. Whether you are a therapist, educator, or parent, this episode is packed with deeply relatable and practical insights.   Resources: Declarative Language Handbook, by Linda Murphy https://www.declarativelanguage.com/about-declarative-language-handbook [https://www.declarativelanguage.com/about-declarative-language-handbook]  On The Hard Days podcast https://www.ontheharddays.com/podcast [https://www.ontheharddays.com/podcast]  Mothers Together group https://www.ontheharddays.com/ [https://www.ontheharddays.com/]

S8 E8: AI Possibilities featuring Brad Smith

Brad is not just a Neuralink participant; he is currently the only nonverbal communicator among the eleven individuals implanted with this revolutionary brain-computer interface. Living with ALS, Brad has navigated life for years relying on various Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems. Join us as Brad shares his extraordinary journey, which is a powerful testament to resilience, adaptation, and the unwavering human desire to communicate. Awe and Wonder AAC & AT Podcast https://specialedtechcenter.com/awe-and-wonder-s8/ Air Date: 11/19/25   Clock Hour Required Additional Viewing Please note: You must watch the supplemental video linked below to qualify for clock hours. Nonverbal ALS Patient Uses Neuralink to Create & Narrate Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJn0WRKwg34

S8 E7: AI Possibilities featuring Elizabeth & Alyssa Reed, Trinity Rogers & Kate Oeser, & Josh Pedro

In this episode of the podcast, we bring together parents, an SLP, and incredible teenage AAC users to share how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing their world. We hear from three fantastic guests: Alyssa Reed (teenage AAC user) and her mother, Elizabeth Reed; Trinity Rogers (teenage AAC user) and her SLP, Katelyn Oeser; Josh Pedro, a dad whose daughter, Gena, also uses AAC. Tune in to discover the exciting, real-world applications of AI for teenagers who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), including how they are using it to: - Conquer Writing Assignments: Making schoolwork accessible and empowering. - Boost Social Fluency: Generating expanded sentences and quick, relevant responses for fast-paced social interactions. - Curate Vocabulary: Strategically selecting and adding essential words, including slang, to their communication devices. Most critically, we provide actionable advice for parents and professionals: How to effectively document and integrate AI tools and support into an AAC user's Individualized Education Program (IEP). Don't miss this blueprint for leveraging technology to unlock potential! Awe and Wonder AAC & AT Podcast Series 8: AI Possibilities https://specialedtechcenter.com/awe-and-wonder-s8/

S8 E6: AI Possibilities featuring Mai Ling Chan

In this episode we sit down with the incredible Mai Ling Chan, CCC-SLP, PMP, co-creator of AI for SLP Facebook group and a person dedicated to connecting and bridging relationships across the industry. We dive into critical updates on how to prompt AI effectively and safely as well as exploring the need to consider how people with disabilities want or don't want to use AI themselves. Tune in to hear Mai Ling's forward-thinking perspective on how technology and business can responsibly and effectively support the disability community. Episode Resources:  Exceptional Leaders Network: https://www.exceptionalleadersnetwork.com/ [https://www.exceptionalleadersnetwork.com/]  AI for the SLP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/597325123447725 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/597325123447725] ArSHA Conference 2026: https://www.arsha.org/convention/ [https://www.arsha.org/convention/] Mai Ling Chan: https://www.mailingchan.com/about [https://www.mailingchan.com/about]