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When words fail, connection speaks louder. TheraFriends speech therapists Amanda Kelly and Jessie Sue Mewshaw share how empathy, curiosity, and innovative tools like speech-generating devices (SGDs) can make all the difference.
Empowering expression—and joy
Technology can create breakthroughs and open doors for people who struggle with traditional forms of communication—giving them new ways to express themselves, build relationships, and explore their world.
Amanda Kelly shares her experience working with a young autistic client who recently started using a speech-generating device. “She’s picked it up incredibly quickly—sometimes navigating the apps even faster than I can! She’s really embraced it and has even customized it with images that are meaningful to her,” she says. “Watching her excitement as she explores new ways to communicate and seeing how it encourages her to express herself more has been so rewarding.”
Curiosity is key
Moments like these highlight the importance of listening, observing, and trusting each child’s unique communication style.
Jessie Sue Mewshaw recalls working with a teenage boy who uses a speech-generating device for communication, and was assumed to have cognitive delay. “One day, he kept repeating a phrase using his device that didn’t initially make sense to me,” she says. “Instead of brushing it off, I stayed curious. He grabbed his tablet, scrolled through photos, and zoomed in on an image he had saved that matched the phrase he’d been using. That’s when I realized—he could read! No one had understood that before. From that moment, we really took off, and it was incredible. Curiosity in those moments can unlock so much.”
Advocating for access
Speech-generating devices (SGDs) can open doors for children to express themselves, connect with others, and thrive—but many families can’t afford them. Even lower-cost options, like iPads with augmentative communication apps, are often out of reach due to issues with insurance coverage or competing cost needs.
Fortunately, funding options exist through schools, insurance, Medicaid, and grants, but navigating these systems can be challenging. Families can start by requesting an assistive technology evaluation through their child’s school, which may cover devices as part of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Insurance and Medicaid can also provide funding with proper documentation of medical necessity. For those needing additional support, grants and scholarships from autism-focused organizations offer another path.
If you or someone you know is seeking funding for a speech-generating device, organizations like the Autism Community in Action have informative websites that can help get you started.
At TheraFriends, we’re committed to helping families explore these options—because every child deserves the tools to find their voice and share their joy with the world.
Like Amanda Kelly says: “Communication shouldn’t be a privilege. It’s a basic right.”
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