This poem is written by a 13 year old girl who uses an AAC device. Since she has just entered her teenage years, I tried to portray some of the emotional struggles that she is encountering at this very tender age in her life.

I am silent and I am special.
I wonder what it would be like to speak.
I hear the imaginary sound of my voice.
I see my lips move as they try to form a word.
I want to be normal.
I am silent and I am special.

I pretend to talk on the phone.
I feel as if love will never find me.
I touch my soft lips, but what does it matter?
I worry that they will never be kissed.
I cry to ease the pain.
I am silent and I am special.

I understand that life is short, yet sweet.
I dream of giving a speech at graduation.
I try to make the best of what I've been given.
I hope to make an impact.
I am silent but I am special.

*Well I am still revising....I found myself revising as I was typing. I am most open to suggestions. I tried to remember my thoughts when I was 13....but that's been a loooong time ago. I must be getting old....:)

Essential Question: "How can I justify the expense involved in purchasing an Augmentative Communication Device?"

Foundation Questions:

1. What is an AAC device?

2. What is the purpose of AAC device?

3. Who is a candidate for using an AAC device?

4. What are the benefits of using an AAC device?

5. What is the purchase price an AAC device?

Tentative Point:
AAC devices are worth the expense because of the profound impact they have on those who use them.

Tentative Genres:

Client: poem
Client: journal entry
Clinician: webliography
Clinician: powerpoint presentation
AAC Device Manufacturer: brochure
AAC Device Users "Group": newsletter

*Obviously, my research is to justify the expense of the device. I am assuming that in order to do that, all of my genres will have the same point of view so to speak. (Otherwise, wouldn't I be fighting against myself?) So all of these genres will support the expense of AAC devices through the use of different methods.

The whole time I am writing this, I am thinking about switching some of my genres around.....so stay tuned. I may be asking for some advice!

Integration: I want to use each of these genres to help persuade those who might be interested in purchasing an AAC Device. So each genre is going to use a different method of persuasion depending on the voice. Obviously the genres of the client and clinician will have a more profound effect because both will have experienced the benefits of the device firsthand and on a more personal level.

Tentative Resources:

Thinking, Thinking Thinking......
Working, Working, Working......

Okay, try these on for size......

1. What is an AAC device?

2. What is the purpose of AAC device?

3. Who is a candidate for using an AAC device?

4. What are the benefits of using an AAC device?

5. What is the purchase price an AAC device?

Do you think I have covered all of the bases? I am trying to think about these from a purchaser's point of view......meaning what questions would someone ask who was thinking about purchasing an AAC device? Because if I were the salesman, and through answering these questions I would either be justifying the purchase (or not). Here again, I am most open to advice. Maybe someone else will think of something I have missed. :)