Lauren Enders Gonzales, MA, CCC - SLP

11/06/2025

Congratulations to Mateo Moreno, the 2026 Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecturer! Mateo will share what he has learned from visiting classrooms to talk with over 2,500 students about AAC, disability, and inclusion.

Learn more about Mateo at atia.org/prentkelecture and plan to join us for his lecture in person at ATIA 2026 or for the free live-stream as part of the ATIA 2026 Virtual Event and on ATIA's YouTube channel.

Thank you to PRC-Saltillo for their generous support of this lecture.

11/04/2025

Congrats to Brianna Coltellino who successfully defended her dissertation this afternoon! The AAC field is lucky to have someone with your passion and work ethic, Bri! We can’t wait to see what your future holds.

11/04/2025

USSAAC salutes the amazing Bob Williams who has announced his retirement. Read more about this inspirational leader in USSAAC's SpeakUp! blog https://ussaac.org/speakup/articles/aac-peer-support-models/ and at https://communicationfirst.org/aboutus/
and in the CommunicationFirst newsletter posted below.

Bob’s Retirement

Bob Williams sits at the head of the Roosevelt Room conference table in the White House with his AAC device mounted on his power chair. He is laughing along with President Obama...Attorney General Holder...and other disability leaders.
Bob Williams sits at the head of the Roosevelt Room conference table in the White House with his AAC device mounted on his power chair. He is laughing along with President Obama, Attorney General Holder, and other disability leaders.

With mixed feelings, we share the news that CommunicationFIRST’s co-founder Bob Williams is retiring.

Bob’s ​​lifetime of advocacy for people with the most significant disabilities, especially children and adults who need but continue to be denied access to effective communication, has changed lives. ​In his four-decade career in federal and state government service, on Capitol Hill, and in nonprofits, and in his private life as a community activist, husband, father, grandfather, son, student, friend, and mentor, he has been tireless and unfailingly principled.

CommunicationFIRST would not exist without his leadership. He has been central to everything we have accomplished over the past six years; here is a tiny sampling:

WRITINGS:

Making Communication a Reality for All
Bob Williams on the Power of Free Speech
Speaking Up for Access to Augmentative and Alternative Communication
AAC Users on the Future of AAC Research

FILMS:

See Us. Hear Us. Film Chronicling Bob’s Life
The Judith Campaign: Bob Williams’ Story
Bob’s Appearance in The Ride Ahead

WEBINARS:

The Power and Art of AAC: Disrupting Racism, Ableism, and Oppression
See Us. Hear Us. and Forest Haven Webinar

PRESENTATIONS/REMARKS:

“We Take Care of Our Own:” Protecting Medicaid
Literacy and AAC: Reading, Writing, and AAC Are Fundamental
AAC & Technology: What’s Communication Equity Got to Do With It?
Remarks on Data Equity to the US Census Bureau
Eulogy for Judy Heumann

How Has Bob Impacted You?

Bob Williams wears a plaid hat and glasses. He sits in a powerchair with a microphone near his speech-generating device. Behind him is the US Capitol building.
Bob Williams wears a plaid hat and glasses. He sits in a powerchair with a microphone near his speech-generating device. Behind him is the US Capitol building. Image credit: Alison Chandra.

Please ​help us thank and celebrate Bob's legacy by shar​ing ​a memory ​or your thoughts about his impact by emailing info@communicationfirst.org with the subject line: Bob’s Retirement. You can make a submission through video, audio, or writing, and feel free to include photos of yourself or photos of you and Bob, if you have any that will bring a smile to his face. If texting or DMing is more accessible, please let us know. We ​will be compiling all the submissions ​and presenting them to Bob at a later date. Thank you ​in advance for your participation and support.

11/04/2025

11/04/2025

11/04/2025

A lot of Untigering is resisting the impulse to constantly correct and control our children.

Instead of the parent being the primary locus of control and wisdom, we want to support our kids in developing their own agency, morality, and ability to problem-solve.

We want them to trust themselves.

The next time we’re tempted to step in and tell kids what to do, offer these questions instead.

✨

Reposted from The words we choose in hard moments matter.

When a challenge shows up—big or small—we can model resourcefulness without rushing to fix everything.

Try these gentle, empowering prompts next time things don’t go as planned.

What other things do you do or say to encourage creative problem-solving?

11/04/2025

Easier means LESS TIME SPENT! WooHoo!

11/03/2025

Teachers make a difference every single day, and we love to celebrate them!

11/03/2025

ALL ABOUT INTEROCEPTION!

It’s the last day and the last sensory system! October is Sensory Processing Awareness Month. To help spread awareness, I am sharing a series of graphics about the 8 sensory systems. ⠀

To get a printable version of this graphic,
🗣️Comment SENSORY and I'll send you the link directly.

Interoception is the body’s internal sensory system that helps us notice and interpret signals from within. Receptors located in our organs, muscles, and skin send messages to the brain about what’s happening inside the body. Interoception helps us understand and respond to how we feel on the inside.

Things like our heart rate, breathing rate, emotions, when we need to use the bathroom, temperature, and pain are all part of these internal sensations.

BIG disclaimer here. When looking at interoception challenges, you have to rule out medical issues FIRST. ALWAYS talk to your child’s doctor if you have any concerns about any challenges listed here. This list is for educational purposes only.

Some ways that you can address interoception challenges, AFTER ruling out or addressing any medical concerns, are:

* Mindfulness activities
* Yoga
* Heavy work activities
* Alerting activities
* Repetitive and rhythmic vestibular input
* Visual prompts and cues to identify and communicate emotions
* Social stories

To get a printable version of this graphic,
🗣️Comment SENSORY and I'll send you the link directly.

11/03/2025

Have always LOVED this graphic originally created by my friend and fellow AAC advocate Rachael Langley, AAC Specialist. Timeless.

AAC modeling isn’t just therapy time, it’s everyday communication time. Every word, every context, every moment matters.

11/01/2025

November is National Caregivers Month, and Team Gleason knows the importance of respite and ease of burden for those who dedicate their time to caring for someone living with ALS. We see you, we appreciate you, and we're working hard to provide innovative solutions that make your days easier 💙

ALSCaregivers.org is hosting a free “Caring for the Caregiver” Virtual Workshop on Tue Nov 18 7pm cst. and we hope you'll join!

Topics Include:
🔹Keeping the Caregiver Healthy
🔹Don’t Fight the Battle Alone
🔹The Empowered Caregiver

Current or former ALS Caregivers share insights on equipment and best practices to keep the caregiver mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy. Tips on leveraging others for assistance and making the most of together time. Sponsored by ALSCaregivers LLC.

Reservations are required before Thur Nov 9th. As a Caregiver of someone living with ALS, emerge from this workshop empowered and encouraged.

Register here: https://loom.ly/tpgeDfg