An AAC Christmas Tradition

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town
Not a creature was stirring, they were all safe and sound.
The stockings were hung by their chimneys with care,
In hopes that AAC Elves would soon visit there.

The teachers were nestled all snug in their beds,
With visions of lesson plans banished from their heads.
The therapists with data sheets and the strategies they love best,
Had just settled in for a good winter-break rest.

When outside the schoolyard, there arose such a clatter
I rushed toward the window to see what was the matter.
Stepping on Legos (does that pain ever fade?)
I ran to the window and lifted the shade.

With her silvery face, the moon shone from the night sky,
Illuminating the landscape from her perch way up high.
And what to my sleep-deprived eyes should appear
But an accessible sleigh, and 8 AT reindeer.

“Now SwitchMount and Talker; On Gazer and HighTechs!
Go Pixon and Charger; On CoreBoard and PowerPECS!”
(Bespoke voices! Good speakers! Volume turned up to 10.
Fringe and core to the rescue! Robust vocabulary for the win!)

And then, in a twinkling, the Elves dashed through the snow,
Toting bags stuffed with packages, their eyes all aglow.
Switch-toys, and Play-Doh. The elusive Cariboo??
3-D printers and circuits for the AT Makers, too.

For the Clinic, lots of fun things for strong girls and boys:
Sensory bins, craft supplies, and new wind-up toys.
With squeeze balls and fidgets to calm anxious brains,
Books and puzzles with Elmo and Thomas the Train.

At School, they left chargers and lots of App Store gift cards;
Plus ‘Buddy Benches’ and adapted swings for all recess yards.
For the classroom, a Smart Board to project the skills kids are gaining.
And – miracle of miracles – a designated Sub for all AAC training!

For the families, they unpacked the best gift of all,
An AAC-loving team, determined that barriers will fall.
No resistance, no excuses, no rejection letters or delays.
True collaboration?! The happiest of days!!

Presuming potential for learning to make comments and retorts,
And confidence in good teaching and appropriate supports
The AAC Elves dashed back to the sleigh on this magical night,
They signed “Happy Holidays to All” and drove out of sight.

And as they departed, flying into the star-speckled sky,
Voices came from everywhere, deep below and up high.
“Strength for the AAC journey,” I heard those Elf voices call,
“Communication is our birthright, the greatest gift of all.”

May you never be too old to search the skies on Christmas Eve, AAC friends!