Theo's Journey: The Power of Communication and Hope

In this episode of Hear Me Out, hosts Niki Lampi and Tamara Pogin from the Masonic Children's Clinic welcome John, Joelle, and their son Theo Bodin. The Bodin family shares their inspiring journey from Theo's challenging birth to his remarkable progress with the use of an eye gaze communication device. They discuss the importance of hope, perseverance, and the support provided by the clinic. Theo, who has cerebral palsy, became a strong communicator thanks to the clinic's augmentative and alternative communication specialist, Jillian. The family highlights the clinic's invaluable services, which remain free thanks to donations and grants, and underscore the significance of advocating for children with special needs.

In this episode of Hear Me Out, hosts Tamara and Nikki are joined by Jillian Little, a speech-language pathologist specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Jillian shares insights from her 15 years of experience in the field, explaining what AAC is and its importance for individuals with speech difficulties. The discussion covers various AAC methods, including both unaided forms like gestures and high-tech aided tools such as speech-generating devices. Jillian talks about her career journey, the development of a consultative program at the Masonic Children’s Clinic, and the significance of early AAC intervention. She emphasizes the importance of modeling, accessibility, and multimodal communication. The episode concludes with Jillian sharing her favorite therapy toys and activities, and information on how parents and professionals can reach out for AAC consultations.