Karolina Krystyniak, Parent of Franek, Ontario, Canada
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Franek has been a student of Kate Ahern's online school (or, as we say, Zoom with Kate) since the very beginning of the pandemic back in March 2020. When his "official" virtual school completely failed him and so many people claimed non-speaking kids cannot learn online, Kate created an amazing space where every student is valued, respected and challenged. Franek participates in multiple online classes daily and communicates using his AAC device. He learns to read, write, count, he does science experiments, listens to stories, thinks creatively, shares his adventures using collages, makes jokes, learns about feelings, self-advocacy, different cultures, history, nature. Kate is a wonderful and incredibly engaging teacher who always puts her students first and ensures they feel safe, welcome, important and empowered. Franek has tremendously improved his use of AAC, learned so much and made many wonderful friends during the last year and a half. We found a wonderful community of families.
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Christy Schneider, Parent to Luke
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AAC Virtual Voices Groups have been an unexpected blessing to my son, Luke, and our family. Every single one of his peers are AAC users. Imagine a world where no one speaks your language and one day you stumble across a group of people who talk just like you! My son has used AAC since he was 3 (he is 14 now). In the first week of him joining there was a noticeable difference in his communication with his device. Honestly, there were times I wanted to tell him to be quiet! He is able to sit and is excited to participate in a group. He will get the computer set up, grab his talker and speaker, and wait for class to begin. He found his tribe. To most this might not seem like such a big deal, however Luke has not been in school going on four years now. We found a place where Luke is accepted for who he is. He is finally being heard and believed in.
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Cami Courtright, M.S. Bridging Worlds Behavior Services / California, USA
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I’m a behaviorist that works with your student on Wednesdays. I love that I've been able to sit in on your classes and am so impressed with the different things you introduce that the mom has talked to me about. You do such a great job! And I appreciate all your humor.
