Happy National Speech-Language-Hearing Month! | Explore Support & Services for SLPs
Happy National Speech-Language-Hearing Month! | Explore Support & Services for SLPs
Welcome back to ableFamilies in Real Life, where we celebrate the families making communication part of everyday life. This time we are heading to Downingtown, Pennsylvania, to meet Kelly and her youngest son, Jordan, a six-year-old with a big personality and plenty to say. For two years, the QuickTalker Freestyle speech device has given him the words to say it.
Jordan is the youngest of three boys in a family of five, with older brothers who are seventeen and thirteen. He is autistic and non-speaking, and as his mom Kelly puts it, he has plenty to say. He is a happy, giggly kid who loves being outside, animals, dinosaurs, swimming, his iPad, and spending time with his family. The family uses some signs and gestures at home, but the QuickTalker Freestyle is what lets everyone hear what Jordan has to say.
Ask Kelly what the device changed, and her answer is simple: it gives Jordan a voice. “He can actually tell us what he wants, needs, likes, or doesn’t like instead of us always having to guess,” she says. “As his parents, that is huge. Jordan understands so much, and the QuickTalker Freestyle gives him a way to show us that.”
Some of the clearest proof shows up at bedtime. When Jordan is hunting for that one very specific farm animal, he will not go to bed until he finds it, and now he can say exactly which one he means. His favorite can change daily, and he definitely lets the family know which one is at the top of the list. Those little moments are a great reminder that Jordan knows exactly what he wants to say. He just communicates it differently.
For Kelly, the best moments are not always the big ones. “Sometimes it is the little things, when Jordan independently grabs his device and tells us exactly what he wants instead of us trying to figure it out,” she says. “Every time he uses it to make a choice, tell us something, or advocate for himself, it makes me smile.”
One of the family’s biggest early wins came from Jordan’s school. Staff there were amazed at how quickly he learned to navigate the device, and told Kelly they had not seen another child take to it quite like he did, especially after limited success with other students.
“That was such an exciting moment for us, because it reinforced that the right communication tool really mattered for Jordan,” Kelly says. Like anything, learning AAC takes consistency and patience. But once Jordan realized that his device could help him communicate and be understood, he really embraced it.
Jordan’s journey has shaped what this family does far beyond their own home. They run Billy’s Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit that supports individuals and families, including neurodiverse families, through programs and opportunities that promote inclusion and help families feel supported.
Traveling with Jordan also opened their eyes to how difficult vacations can be for families with sensory needs. That experience inspired them to create Anchor Cove Villa, their sensory-friendly vacation rental in the Orlando area, built so families like theirs could vacation with the supports, accommodations, and sensory tools that make being away from home a little easier.
Jordan has taught his entire family that true inclusion means meeting people where they are. As Kelly describes it, it is about creating an environment where people feel comfortable, supported, and accepted for exactly who they are, rather than expecting them to change to fit the world around them.
Ask what Jordan would pick if he could share one thing himself, and Kelly does not hesitate: “iPad,” one of his favorite things to request. Or, depending on the day, one of his favorite farm animals. Being non-speaking, as this family will tell you, does not mean having nothing to say.
Stay tuned for more real-life stories from ableFamilies across the country. Want to share your family’s journey or have a question? Our Parent Enthusiasts are here for you. You can also explore additional resources, guidance, and community connections on our SupportHub.