As some of you know I now have a blog where I tests and review AAC apps. I haven't had the first official testing period yet. Ashen I test them I use one app almost exclusively for communication (unless I really need to bring in a second app or in an emergency use my voice) by the way an emergency to me is if the house is burning down or my roommate or pets are having a medical crisis. After I test them I wrote a review
That said while I have not none an official testing period yet I have used AAC apps before. Last October I had my thyroid removed surgical because of thyroid cancer. When I woke for surgery I was in able to speak but had a few communication app pin my iPad. I used those until my voice came back. This struck a very strong interest in AAC apps for me. While I was. Non verbal and using apps I actually felt pretty good (minus the medical stuff and my sore throat and extreme tiredness and neck pain) but for the first time in a long time I felt right? Not sure that's the correct word.
However my voice cam back so I had to go back to using it and then began my fixation in AAC apps. Months went by and I fixated researched and decided to make my blog. Then earlier this week on Tuesday I went in for another surgery and I had a lymph node removed for biopsy. (We figured might as well get it out so if it is cancerous it is out and won't have to have a whole other surgery. (They have to put me under for even needle biopsy a because I have a severe to profound needle fear.) so now I am back to being non verbal. My voice is slowly coming back but I am mostly using AAC apps to communicate. For now. I realized when I use these devices instead of having to use my voice to speak I feel. Higher functioning and I have also come to realize I am better at expressing myself through these apps and through typing. I don't feel as stressed most of the time while interacting with people and because I can shut down a large part of my verbal center of my brain the one that turns thoughts and sounds into words I don't get over stimulated as easily.
My question is does anyone else experience this or has any one else tried using communication apps even though they are verbal or when they loose the ability to communicate? Part if me really just wants to use these apps most of the time and save my speaking for special occasion or emerganceys but I don't think that would ever be accepted and so now I am town torn and I don't know what to do.any advice/suggestions?
P.S. I was speech delayed as a kid and worked very hard to become verbal, I know I have come a very long way since then but would gladly give my ability to speak to another autistic who would appreciate it more if I could. For me speaking also takes a lot out if me. Not just emotionally but physically too. When I talk I actually processe less visual and can't talk and do things like stairs at the same time because of it.
