Zayne Traub (at right), 6, uses an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device to choose an ice cream flavor during Exceptional Possibilities’ Alternative Communication Camp at Ellen’s Ice Cream in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Many participants used AAC devices to choose ice cream flavors during Exceptional Possibilities’ Augmentative and Alternative Communication camp at Ellen’s Ice Cream in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Adam Loftis waits to order ice cream at Exceptional Possibilities’ Augmentative and Alternative Communication camp at Ellen’s Ice Cream in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Marisa Jackson (right) helps feed her son, Maxwell Jackson, 10, ice cream during Exceptional Possibilities’ Augmentative and Alternative Communication camp at Ellen’s Ice Cream in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Thursday, July 17, 2025. This is their second year participating in the summer camp.
Zayne Traub (at right), 6, uses an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device to choose an ice cream flavor during Exceptional Possibilities’ Alternative Communication Camp at Ellen’s Ice Cream in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
This week marked the third year for Exceptional Possibilities’ Augmentative and Alternative Communication summer camp, a program designed to give families of children with disabilities a chance to socialize and learn more about AAC tools and strategies.
Morgan Goodall, a co-founder of the organization, said the camp was the group’s flagship initiative — the one that started it all. When she, Michelle Robinson and Alexa Kirkwood launched the program, they had just seven campers. This year, attendance has tripled to 21 participants. Each day, a comparable number of volunteers also attend to assist campers and support camp operations.
Goodall, a board-certified behavior analyst with Kanawha County Schools, said the camp offers valuable exposure to daily living situations that help children develop important communication skills they can use at home.
For example, campers took their AAC devices to Ellen’s Ice Cream on Capitol Street on Thursday, where they ordered sweet treats using their devices. Parents reported that throughout the week, their children also navigated public transit, visited other restaurants and participated in everyday scenarios that help them practice communication in real-world settings.
What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication?
AAC refers the ways someone communicates besides talking. People of all ages can use AAC if they have difficulty with speech or language skills. The term “augmentative†means to add to someone’s speech, while “alternative†means to use instead of speech. Some people use AAC temporarily — such as after surgery when they can’t speak — while others use it throughout their lives.
Rachel Traub makes the drive from her home in Roane County after learning about the camp from her son’s speech therapist. Her 6-year-old, Zane, is autistic and nonverbal, and he recently began using an AAC communication device.
“He’s definitely using his [tablet] a lot more,†Traub said. “He’s not as prone to pushing it away. He just seems so happy here.â€
Many participants used AAC devices to choose ice cream flavors during Exceptional Possibilities’ Augmentative and Alternative Communication camp at Ellen’s Ice Cream in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
AAC options range from no-tech and low-tech tools to high-tech devices. High-tech options can involve apps on tablets, iPads, or computers with voice output — often called speech-generating devices.
Marisa Jackson (right) helps feed her son, Maxwell Jackson, 10, ice cream during Exceptional Possibilities’ Augmentative and Alternative Communication camp at Ellen’s Ice Cream in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Thursday, July 17, 2025. This is their second year participating in the summer camp.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
Marisa Jackson said the camp has been an “amazing opportunity†for her son, Maxwell, 10, who is nonverbal due to his FOXG1 syndrome. Maxwell lacks fine motor skills, so his AAC device helps him practice cause and effect, strengthen fine motor skills and communicate by selecting options from a menu. Jackson said he’s about 60-70% accurate when using his device but noted he's gotten progressively better with practice.
“Today, when we were riding the bus, he told me ‘more eat,’ so it was time to eat. That’s the first time he’s done that,†she said.
More importantly, Jackson said this camp is Maxwell’s only option to participate in a summer camp experience.
Adam Loftis waits to order ice cream at Exceptional Possibilities’ Augmentative and Alternative Communication camp at Ellen’s Ice Cream in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
“If this wasn’t here, there’d be no camp for Maxwell in the state,†she said. “I love what they’re doing. They’re fostering community and bringing lots of different people in.â€
The week-long camp features local outings, field trips and educational opportunities for parents. Both Traub and Jackson said they’re already looking forward to next year’s camp — and so is Goodall, who said she always looks forward to empowering ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä's "exceptional" children.
“These kids are capable of anything any other child is doing,†she said. “They might be doing it their own way, and you may need to have patience and adapt your world a little bit to help them, but they will get there.â€
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