Special Education Resources & Blog | So Very Spesh

As a new preservice teacher, I once unintentionally left a student using eye-gaze AAC out of a lesson simply because I didn't know how to include him. That moment changed the way I understand communication, participation, and inclusion forever. This post is an honest reflection on learning to slow down, presume competence, and make space for every voice -- because communication is not limited to speech, and inclusion is always a choice.

Speech-language pathologists have deeply shaped the way I approach teaching, communication, and inclusion. In this SLP Appreciation Day reflection, I'm sharing how collaboration with SLPs -- alongside my experiences supporting a nonspeaking individual and participating in Project PREP at WKU -- transformed my understanding of AAC, communication access, and creating meaningful opportunities for all students to participate in learning.