Does it ever end?

Do you recognize this? Days too short to do everything you want? And at the same time actually too long for the amount of energy you started the day with? The recurring rules, appointments with the physiotherapist, the speech therapist, several doctors and all kinds of much-needed telephone calls keep coming up. They seem to be constantly at the front of the queue again, while coffee with a friend has to join the back of the queue again. There she waits neatly behind child 1 and 3 helping with homework, weekly shopping, laundry and not to forget that all too often postponed date with your partner. It's urgent... when you care for a care-intensive child.

A to-do list can be nice. Very nice even! It provides insight into what still needs to be done and on a productive day, ticks show that you are doing well. But what if the to-do list grows with every action you've checked off? After all, a visit to a therapist or doctor often results in new exercises to do at home, advice to follow and so on. In conversations with mothers, and sometimes also fathers, of children who still need a lot of help with all kinds of daily activities, I hear it regularly, but very often not. Not everyone finds it easy to say 'no' or to draw attention to the complex puzzle of advice, agreements and focus areas. After all, if you prioritize one, you won't be able to do the other as well as you'd like.

Practitioners and AAC experts see what could be done for many non- or hardly speaking people. In their enthusiasm they write about it on social media, in magazines and presentations. Unfortunately, it is not self-evident that such an enthusiastic story is also enthusiastically received. Some read it and put it right next to them, others start to think in good spirits about what they can do at home… but the everyday hustle and bustle stifles inspiration before too long. A third group sets to work themselves, but remains dissatisfied with the result. For various reasons, the home does not quite get off the ground. The fourth group makes its way through all the trees, keeps an overview and keeps moving and has the wind at its back. It is possible to continuously apply all AAC strategies at home.

Which group do you belong to? Have you ever started working, but it didn't turn out the way you hoped? Or are you at the beginning but afraid you won't make it alone? Shall we add a fifth group? The fifth group consists of people who ask for and find help to get started at home. Because if someone is standing next to you, you don't have to do it alone. Together you can see which small first step is possible in your situation. Even a small step is a step.

Do you want to get started? I would like to stand next to you with my knowledge, experience and compassion. I have an overview of the available tools, methods and practices for Augmented Communication. I share my knowledge with you, so that you get an overview of the options that are relevant to you. Then you decide at what pace you will move.