ableFamilies in Real Life:

Meet Emily & Zoe

Welcome to our series, “ableFamilies in Real Life,” where we celebrate the everyday victories, milestones, and joyful moments of families using AAC. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Emily—a proud mom of six—and her eleven-year-old daughter, Zoe, from North Richland Hills, Texas. As Zoe continues to grow in confidence and connection through the QuickTalker Freestyle, Emily and her family show how patience, consistency, and celebrating every win can make communication a powerful part of daily life.

All About Zoe

Meet Emily and her eleven-year-old daughter, Zoe—the second of six children in a family that loves reading, music, and learning together. Zoe has been using the QuickTalker Freestyle for about one year, and the difference it has made in her ability to communicate—especially in social and educational settings—has been meaningful for the whole family. Emily describes their home as a place where everyone is patient with Zoe and works together to understand what she’s trying to say.

Finding Her Voice, One Word at a Time

At home, communication is a team effort. When Zoe is working to share something, her siblings will ask her to repeat herself, try to spell out what she means, or encourage her to show or point to what she’s communicating. When the family understands, they all repeat it back together—a simple habit that Emily has noticed helps Zoe internalize language and build confidence in communicating with others.

Outside the home, the QuickTalker Freestyle has given Zoe a new kind of freedom. The device helps those around her hear and understand her more accurately, expanding her ability to connect with peers, teachers, and the broader world. Emily credits twice-weekly speech therapy as a cornerstone of Zoe’s progress, noting that her therapist continuously tailors the program—updating vocabulary and customizing screens to match where Zoe is in her communication journey.

Moments to Remember

One of the family’s most memorable recent moments came when Zoe gave a vocal presentation to a mixed-age audience. She recited her presentation vocally and then followed along with the QuickTalker Freestyle—helping the audience not only hear but truly appreciate everything she had to say. For Emily, that moment was a powerful reminder of how far Zoe has come and how much more she has to share with the world.

Emily's Advice for Families

Emily’s advice for families just getting started? Find a speech therapist who truly knows your child—someone who understands their vocabulary needs and can tailor the AAC program to fit who they are and how they communicate. That relationship, she says, makes all the difference.

Share Your Journey or Connect with Us

Stay tuned for more real-life stories from ableFamilies across the country. Want to share your family’s journey or have a question? Ask our Parent Enthusiasts or find more information and resources on our SupportHub.