May is Better Hearing and Speech Month and communication experts stress that early intervention is critical to increasing the likelihood of a positive prognosis for those with communication disorders. Yet a 2018 poll of audiologists and speech-language pathologists conducted by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) found that “parents are generally not aware of the early warning signs of communication disorders—nor do they recognize the benefits of early treatment.”
That is unfortunate, since many communication disorders are extremely amenable to treatment.
“Delaying treatment means children may miss a critical developmental window where they acquire a majority of their foundational speech and language skills, which occurs between birth and 3 years of age,” says ASHA President Elise Davis-McFarland. “The skills achieved during this time lay the groundwork for later success with reading and writing, academics, social interactions, and career options and advancement—making early intervention for any speech/language or hearing problem, preferably well before age 3, so important.”
Davis-McFarland encourages parents to be aware of communication milestones, and the warning signs that their young children are not meeting them. To learn more, parents can visit identifythesigns.org.
Enabling Devices offers an array of products that help people with speech-language and hearing disorders to communicate. These include: augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices such as simple one and two message communicators, progressive communicators, wearable communication devices, and AAC devices for the special needs education classroom. These speech-generating devices are appropriate for children and adults with complex communication needs such as those with autism, cerebral palsy, ALS, stroke, aphasia, down syndrome and other diagnoses.
Here are some of our most popular ones:
Basic Communicators
This basic communicator records one 20-second message. Big Talks come in five colors and also act as a switch that can activate another device.
This basic communicator records two 20-second messages. It includes a built-in compartment that displays a word, picture or icon. This communicator is also available as the Talkable III (records three messages), the Talkable IV (records four messages) and the Talkable IV with12 levels and four 6-second messages.
Progressive Communicators
7-Level Communication Builders
This best-selling progressive communication builder grows along with you. Start with one message and grow to sixteen.
On the Go Communicators
 Wrist Talker #3037 and #3037B
This single-message communicator looks just like a wristwatch and records a 10 second greeting.
This entirely portable communicator, worn like a fanny-pack, includes designs 300 seconds of recording time, auditory cueing and terrific sound quality. Or try the Hip Talk 12/with levels #5013, which records 60 five-second messages or the Hip Talk #5004, which records 4 five-second messages.
 Small Talk with built-in icon holder #4201
A more portable version of our popular Big Talk, this mini-communicator includes a special compartment that displays an icon, word or photo.
New Product!
This two-switch communicator teaches users learn to speak by recording and playing back their voices. Simultaneously, the Language Facilitator’s attached mirror allows users to watch their mouths move when they make sounds.
These are just some of the communicators offered by Enabling Devices. For additional options and to discover communication devices appropriate for those with visual impairment and speech-language and hearing disorders, visit the communication devices section of our website.
