AAC, video conferencing and communication partners

Due to the pandemic I have been doing a lot of video conferencing with people I normally see in person. In face to face conversations some people understand my speech, and for spontaneity and speed my personal assistant often repeats what I’ve said verbatim. When I use my communication aid people can see what I am doing and usually know to wait for me to finish composing my message.

On any video conference I’ve found it hard to get a word in. After discussing this with my support team at UK Boccia we have adopted the following strategy that works for me:

when I want to contribute I put something (anything including just a letter) in the message box on the video platform
the conference leader acknowledges this and I prepare my contribution, everyone else continues to talk
when I’m ready I put something else into the message box and wait
the conference leader brings me in to the discussion reminding everyone where we were at when I wanted to speak
after I’ve made my contribution, and following any discussion, the conference leader recaps what I missed and we continue.

To facilitate this discussion we talked about the speed of my contribution, most people with a natural voice speak at 150 to 210 words per minute. When I am using my communication aid my input speed is around 20 words per minute, although when I have pre-programmed I deliver this at about 80 words per minute. I choose to do this at a slower rate than natural speech to give listeners a chance to assimilate what I am saying.

In life generally my key messages for my communication partners are straightforward, I’m pleased if they can:

Respect my choice of communication, be it voice, sign, electronic communication aid or body language
Be patient, wait for me to compose my message, please don’t walk away
Try to look interested whilst I’m composing
Not interrupt when I’m composing
Not finish my sentences to speed things up
Let me say what I need to say, I wouldn’t put words in your mouth
Not correct my spelling, even if you think it’s wrong, the message matters not the spelling
Not look over my shoulder to read the message, unless I invite you
Help me maintain my privacy, my screen is also my phone so my text messages are personal

Good communication skills are a joy in any conversation.

Now you are here please look around my website. There is a communication section which has some AAC communication resources that I have created, or been part of creating, over the last few years.