Today, we're revisiting one of your favorite episodes — my conversation with Laura Hayes, a speech-language pathologist who specializes in AAC and supports gestalt language processors. Laura brings so much insight, compassion, and practical wisdom to the topic of AAC — you are going to love everything she shares!

If you missed this one the first time around (or even if you've heard it before), I encourage you to listen again — you'll walk away feeling inspired and equipped with new ideas you can use right away.

Bio: Laura Hayes is a speech-language pathologist with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in both school and medical settings. She's presented at state, national, and international conferences, been published, and supported both inpatient pediatric and educational AAC research. Laura currently hosts a podcast for her school district called Innovative AAC Solutions, and she created an online course on gestalt language processing and AAC through Meaningful Speech. She has helped thousands of AAC users move toward autonomous, meaningful communication.

In this encore episode, Laura and I dive into how to honor all forms of communication, presume competence, and model language in ways that truly empower our autistic students.

Topics we cover:

• Laura's Journey & AAC Innovations: How her sister inspired her path and how she helps others through her AAC Innovations platform.

• Common Missteps in AAC: Why phrases like "say it on your talker" may do more harm than good — and what to say instead.

• The Power of Modeling: Why seeing adults model AAC helps children build authentic, autonomous communication.

• Presuming Competence: How believing in every child's potential transforms our approach to teaching communication.

• Gestalt Language Processing & AAC: Understanding how some children learn language in chunks and what that means for AAC support.

Connect with Laura Hayes:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aac_innovations/

Resources Mentioned:

• Lily's Voice – Providing AAC devices for children in need: https://www.instagram.com/lillysvoice/

• Meaningful Speech Course: AAC & Gestalt Language Processing

• The Role Of Perception In AAC (PrAACtical AAC)

• Stimming And AAC (YouTube)

Key Takeaways:

• AAC support is a learning journey — and that's okay!

• Every child's language development looks different, and all communication attempts matter.

• Microlearning AAC strategies can build confidence for educators and caregivers over time.