In recognition of Better Speech and Hearing Month, the speech pathology team at Setauket Elementary School led a powerful and thought-provoking activity with sixth grade students to raise awareness about communication challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.

Students began by watching “Out of My Mind,” a film that follows a sixth grade girl with cerebral palsy who is nonverbal and uses a wheelchair. The story highlights her journey of finding her voice through an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device. With access to AAC, she is finally able to demonstrate her intelligence, eventually winning a school academic competition despite facing judgment and exclusion from peers and adults alike.

To deepen the learning experience, students were given blank communication boards and asked to choose the most essential words they would need to communicate. Then, using only their boards, students attempted to complete classroom tasks and make requests of their teachers, mirroring the experience of relying on AAC.

This impactful activity not only promoted empathy and inclusion but also allowed students to reflect on the importance of communication and the barriers that many individuals overcome every day. The Setauket speech pathology team hopes this experience inspires greater understanding and respect for all voices, spoken or otherwise.

Date Added: 5/22/2025