Episode 29: Empowering Words: Laura Brekken's Story of Advocacy and AAC

Episode 29: Empowering Words: Laura Brekken's Story of Advocacy and AAC

Hosts Niki Lampi and Tamara Pogin introduce the Masonic Children’s Clinic for Communication Disorders podcast, Hear Me Out, featuring parent Laura Brekken and therapist Annika. Laura shares her family’s experience navigating hearing loss, speech delay, autism, and AAC with her sons Jameson and Henry. She highlights Jameson’s growth after starting therapy at the Masonic Clinic, including increased communication and reduced frustration with the use of TouchChat AAC. Laura also discusses the impact of parent support groups, Music and Movement classes, and learning about Gestalt Language Processing. The episode also spotlights the Different Not Less Foundation and an upcoming autism walk/resource fair focused on expanding community resources.

Episode 28: A Parent's Compass: Navigating Autism with Angela Carroll

Hosts Niki Lampi and Tamara Pogin speak with Angela Carroll, a mother of four autistic children. Angela shares her family’s journey with the clinic—from early speech delays and rapid progress through play-based, parent-involved therapy to later evaluations and individualized supports for her twins. She highlights the importance of trusting parental instincts, advocating for services despite long waitlists, and pursuing supports beyond diagnosis, including IEPs and community resources. Angela also discusses navigating limited services, changes in ABA, homeschooling, and her advocacy work supporting other families through fundraising and peer guidance.

Episode 27: Different, Not Less: Building Advocacy with Devon Maycock

Hosts Niki Lampi and Tamara Pogin sit down with Devon Maycock for a meaningful conversation centered on autism, advocacy, and building stronger support systems for families. Devon shares insight into the lived experiences of families navigating autism, the importance of community connection, and the need for spaces that truly embrace and celebrate neurodiversity. The episode highlights how collaboration between clinicians, caregivers, and local organizations can create real, lasting impact—and why awareness alone isn’t enough without action and inclusion. A key focus of the conversation is the upcoming Autism Walk with the Different Not Less Foundation, bringing the Northland community together on April 26 at the DECC to raise awareness, foster connection, and support families in a visible, meaningful way.

Episode 26: Decades of Dedication: The Becker Family's Impact on Communication Services

Hosts Niki Lampi and Tamara Pogin on Hear Me Out, sharing the heart behind the Masonic Children’s Clinic for Communication Disorders—a place where families find support, hope, and free speech, language, and hearing services when they need it most. In this episode, they sit down with longtime supporter Maggie Holt, whose connection to the clinic spans generations. From her father’s passionate fundraising and her mother’s years of service, to her own memories growing up alongside the clinic, Maggie reflects on the deep sense of community that has shaped its mission. She shares stories of humble beginnings, the power of giving back, and the lasting impact the clinic has had on families—along with the pride of seeing it grow into what it is today. It’s a heartfelt reminder that behind every service provided is a community that truly cares.

Episode 25: Transformative Speech Therapy: The AAC Approach with Corinne Schmidt

Hosts Niki Lampi and Tamara Pogin interview Masonic Children’s Clinic SLP Corinne Schmidt about the clinic’s AAC consultation and outreach work, including device trials for families, training other SLPs, and lessons from the Closing the Gap conference. Corinne emphasizes that there are no prerequisites for AAC and describes supporting minimally speaking autistic children by accounting for analytic and gestalt language processing. She outlines key considerations for children with medical complexities plus the funding process through trials with possible grants when coverage is limited. She also shares parent-coaching priorities.