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There are many benefits in implementing play and everyday routines when encouraging language learning in young children.

Strategies:
1. Mirroring and Mapping
2. Responsive Interactions
3. Modeling and Expanding Play
4. Modeling Language
5. Prompting to Elicit Requests or Initiations

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Question: What are the benefits of developing user-centered AAC apps? 

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Question: What are the benefits of developing user-centered AAC apps? 

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https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2158244014537501

My interest in AAC peaked when I discovered American Sign Language is considered a form of Alternative and Augmentative Communication. As someone with a disability, I strongly believe individuals who use AAC devices should have a say in how they are designed to provide them with the most opportunities to partake in effective communication that is accessible to them.

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Question: Should "Hispanic" or "Latinx" be listed as an option under race?

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Question: Should "Hispanic" or "Latinx" be listed as an option under race?

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"Hispanics who are Spanish-dominant (67%) are about as likely as bilingual (71%) and English-dominant (66%) Hispanics to consider their Hispanic background part of their racial background."

Out of my 22 (almost 23) years of life, I've never seen "Hispanic" or "Latinx" listed as a race until I completed the Social Identity Wheel. I've been forced to label myself as "White/Caucasian," even though my genetic makeup is composed of less than 1% (according to Ancestry).

https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2015/06/11/chapter-7-the-many-dimensions-of-hispanic-racial-identity/#:~:text=Currently%2C%20the%20Hispanic%20category

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Linguistic Discrimination is Prominent in Society Today

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Linguistic Discrimination is Prominent in Society Today

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"English-only policy and rhetoric are rooted in historical racism and the white supremacy culture of the U.S."

Throughout schools around the U.S., many students with a native language that isn't English are forced to assimilate into American culture through the demands from educators to solely use English to communicate. This approach is problematic because it forces ELLs (English Language Learners) to use a language they're not comfortable with and have little to no knowledge about. Students should be exposed to both languages simultaneously to encourage successful language acquisition.

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Benefits of Simultaneous Signed Spoken Communication in Children with Varying Disabilities

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Benefits of Simultaneous Signed Spoken Communication in Children with Varying Disabilities

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https://www.earlyliteracylearning.org/cellreviews/cellreviews_v4_n4.pdf

With my experience in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education, I have seen and heard of instances where using sign language is typically frowned upon due to the fact that a majority of our society uses spoken/oral language to communicate.

According to the study mentioned above, "Findings showed that regardless of type of sign language, simultaneous communication had positive effects on
the speech and oral language production of young children
with different kinds of disabilities."

I think the usage of sign language and spoken language simultaneously is beneficial to language production and should be used in instruction, especially with children who use little to no verbal language.

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"Only 6% of SLPs identify as Hispanic or Latino."

Another identity of mine that I feel has some correlation to being Hispanic is social-economic status. I come from a family belonging to the lower middle class. My parents have some college experience, but neither one finished school, classifying me as a first-generation college student. I believe the cost of higher education has a direct impact on the small percentage of Hispanic/Latino SLPs. I wouldn't be where I am today without the support of my family and the courage to pursue a career in a white-dominated field.