The power to communicate

Over on the Malki Foundation website, we have written in the past about Dror who, together with his dedicated parents and therapist, is defying the odds

Dror is almost 5 years old. The goal that has been set for him is to move beyond single word requests so as to express feelings, interests, requests, participation in what is happening around him. 

The latest step in the process: using a communication board. 

Today we received this update from his speech therapist:

"Moria (Dor's mother) is very excited. She is getting into it and Dror is paying more attention when she speaks to him using it (communication board). It will take quite a while until Dror will be able to create a short sentence by himself but he has already reached the point where he fully understands the power that communication gives him. He laughs when he requests something that he knows he cannot get now. And then he repeats over and over again, just like a normal kid!"

As we have learned again and again when working with Malki Foundation families, when you have determination and match it with hard work, you can sometimes achieve the unachievable.

Alternative communications?

Jennifer Shaw Racz, the Malki Foundation's development specialist here in Jerusalem, writes:

This week we had the opportunity and pleasure to meet with Debbie Ben-Tal to discuss the possibility of collaborating with the Karten Network to bring specific Augmentative and Alternative Communications (AAC) devices to Israel.

These are devices that help children and adults with speech issues communicate with the world around them.

Examples include eye-activated boards or iPads/tablets. 

The Karten Network is a charity based in the UK which supports organizations working with people with disabilities, specifically using technology. 

It was a very informative meeting and we were very impressed by Debbie's commitment to helping adults and children communicate with the world around them in addition to her time-management skills! 

Thank you Debbie and the Karten Network for your insights into speech therapy and AAC in Israel.