ableFamilies in Real Life:

Meet Niashia & Nicholas

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 Niashia and her son Nicholas, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In a household where both Spanish and English fill the air every day, the QuickTalker Freestyle has become so much more than a communication device—it’s the bridge that connects Nicholas to everyone he loves.

All About Nicholas

Meet Niashia and her toddler son, Nicholas, the youngest in their family. Niashia and her husband are raising Nicholas in a bilingual home where Spanish and English are woven into daily life—and where communication, in all its forms, is celebrated. Nicholas has been using his QuickTalker Freestyle for about one to two years, and in that time, both he and his family have grown tremendously through the process.

Speaking Two Languages, One Voice

One of the most meaningful features of the QuickTalker Freestyle for Niashia’s family is its ability to switch between Spanish and English. In a home where both languages are spoken daily, this capability has allowed Nicholas to communicate with every member of the family—grandparents, aunts, uncles, and everyone between—more comfortably and naturally. For Niashia, it means Nicholas isn’t limited in who he can connect with.

From the beginning, Niashia made it a point to keep the QuickTalker Freestyle close throughout the day so Nicholas could use it during meals, playtime, and daily routines. Modeling language on the device while speaking aloud, and giving Nicholas time to respond, has helped communication feel natural and encouraged—not like a separate “therapy task,” but just part of how the family talks together.

Staying open-minded also played a big role in their progress. Early on, Niashia was most familiar with the GoTalk app and preferred to stick with what she knew. But with encouragement from Nicholas’s speech pathologist, the family transitioned to the TouchChat app—and the growth in Nicholas’s vocabulary has been remarkable. Trusting the professionals and staying open to trying different tools made all the difference.

Every Win Is Worth Celebrating

One of Niashia’s favorite recent moments came when she asked Nicholas when his birthday was—and he answered using his speech talker. It’s the kind of moment that stops you in your tracks and reminds you just how far your child has come. For Niashia, it was a glimpse of Nicholas’s growing confidence and capability, showing up in the middle of an ordinary day.

Nicholas also has a go-to message that perfectly captures his personality: “Chase me.” When he wants to play, he presses it and the fun begins. It’s a simple phrase, but it says everything—his excitement, his desire for connection, and his joy in communicating. For the family, moments like these are proof that every new skill unlocked is a win worth celebrating.

Growing Together, One Step at a Time

Looking back, Niashia wishes she had been more open-minded sooner about the tools her speech pathologist recommended. Her advice to other families just getting started? Be willing to try something new. The device or app that works best for your child might not be the one you’re most familiar with, and that’s okay. Trust the process, trust your team, and trust your child.

The motto that guides Niashia’s family says it simply and powerfully: “Every new task completed is a win. Always remember your WHY—which is yourself and your child.” With that mindset, Niashia and Nicholas are building something beautiful together, one word, one moment, one milestone at a time.

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.