Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How is Sidney communicating?

Sidney has really good head control, and she uses a head array system with switches embedded in her headrest.

Q: How many icons/images are on her computer?

Sidney’s system has over 1600 icons, words, numbers and phrases. For more on Sidney’s computer system, see below.

Q: Sometimes she’s not looking at the screen. How does she know when to select an icon/image?

Sidney can both see the cursor move across her screen, but she can also hear what the cursor has landed on. Sidney has an ear-bud and gets an audio prompt in her ear.

Q: What kind of communication device does Sidney have?

Sidney uses a PRC Accent device. This is short for the Prentke Romich Company, which makes a variety of communication devices. Sid’s is an older model, the AC 10. Sidney has used a PRC device since she was 5 years old. This is her fourth device. Sid loves her device and has been a guest greeter for PRC at some of their trade shows and conferences.

Q: What else can it do?

It can talk, play sentences, record, play music, change voices, store data, send email, and access the web. 

Q: Do you have to access a device through head movements?

Not at all. This is just what works for Sid. They have adaptive methods to find the best access methods for each user: finger, joy-stick, head movements, chin, mouth, eye-gaze. There is no limit to what is possible. Speech therapists can design custom systems for each user.

Q: How is Sidney’s speech device set up?

Sidney’s device uses speech software called MINSPEAK. It groups verbs, adjectives,  adverbs,  and nouns in a logical way. It also groups things that Sid uses a lot like foods, questions, greetings, people and places. There are spelling pages and number pages, and it can be customized. There are a number of speech software systems. Features vary. 

Q: On the video lessons, when Jessica holds up the PAUSE sign, what do I do?

Everyone goes at their own speed. Depending on experience and device, your student or user may need more of less time to find an answer than Sidney does. Jessica holds up the PAUSE sign when she asks a question, which Sidney and the students at home will answer. Feel free to pause the video lesson until your student comes up with a good answer.

Q: What are Jessica’s lessons all about?

They are intended to be practical, fun, and informal ways to improve communication, no matter what the special situation may be. The lessons will focus on expanding vocabulary and proper usage; building simple to longer and more challenging sentences; spelling; numbers; word games; current events. We also want to get out into town and use our skills in practical settings like restaurants, coffee shops, theaters, parties…  anywhere people go.  If you have any ideas, we’d love to hear them!

Q; How should I use the workbook pages that Jessica posts with most of the videos?

Next to each video is a link that brings you to documents that can be printed for that particular lesson. Follow the instructions on each document to understand how to use the worksheets with each lesson. If they are game pieces, icons, flash cards or anything you might use repeatedly, then you might wish to laminate them so they last longer. 

Q: Do Jessica and Sidney make live appearances?

Jessica is a Special Education classroom instructor, advisor, consultant and facilitator; she is passionate about speech technologies and adaptive communication. Besides teaching she is a private tutor all over Arizona. Sidney hosts a live class in a Phoenix school district twice a month, mentoring very young and emerging users, showing them what’s possible on a communication device.

Q: Does Sidney use a power wheelchair?

Yep, Sid has a wonderful chair. She can drive it herself through the same head array that controls her speech device.