How assistive technology supports Faith's communication

Born profoundly deaf, Faith wears bilateral cochlear implants to assist her in hearing the world around her. Her first language is British Sign Language (BSL), and she now uses both BSL and spoken language depending on the situation. However, Faith’s journey to communication has not been without its hurdles.

At the age of 3, Faith was diagnosed with Selective/Situational Mutism—a condition in which a child experiences severe anxiety that can prevent them from speaking in certain social situations. As a toddler, Faith would only speak to her immediate family and Teacher of the Deaf (ToD) as she had a close bond with her. Over time, with the help of sliding-in therapy, Faith gained the confidence to speak a little in school. But as she’s grown older, her anxiety has worsened, and there are now days when she cannot communicate verbally or even sign.

What many people don’t realize is that Selective Mutism doesn’t just impact a child’s ability to speak—it can also affect their ability to sign, particularly in environments where they feel anxious. As a result, Faith’s communication is often limited, and she can struggle to express herself. Most of the time, she only communicates through me, her mum, who is able to interpret her needs.

This is where assistive technology has made a world of difference for Faith. On the days when she cannot physically communicate, we turn to the app Proloquo2Go. Initially, we introduced Faith to this app because her older brother, who has significant complex needs, was using it. Faith showed an interest in it, so I decided to install it on her iPad and tailor it to her needs and abilities. With Proloquo2Go, Faith can now express things she might not be able to say or sign when her anxiety is high. This helps reduce her frustration and gives her a way to communicate when her usual methods are not accessible.

One of the things that I appreciate about this technology is that some of the symbols even include the word in BSL. While this is a fantastic feature, it would be amazing if the app offered a more comprehensive BSL vocabulary, which would be beneficial not just for Faith, but for other sign language users as well.

Although Faith doesn't use Proloquo2Go every day, it’s there when she needs it. The beauty of assistive technology is that it offers a safety net for those unpredictable days when Faith’s communication needs change. It takes the pressure off her, allowing her to express herself in ways she might not be able to otherwise.

At home, this is the only piece of assistive technology we use, despite the fact that 3 of us are deaf. The reason we don’t rely on technology for things like doorbell alerts or fire alarms is that I have a hearing dog who handles those tasks for our family. However, when it comes to supporting Faith’s communication, assistive technology has become an invaluable tool.

Assistive technology is not just a tool; it’s a lifeline for many individuals with communication challenges, and for Faith, it’s a reminder that with the right support, she can find ways to communicate, even when it feels impossible. Every day is different, but with the help of technology, Faith’s ability to share her voice—whether through words, signs, or symbols—remains within reach.