ableFamilies in Real Life:

Meet Starr & Skyy

Welcome back to ableFamilies in Real Life, where we celebrate the families and everyday moments that make every communication journey so meaningful. This month, we’re heading to Houston, Texas, to meet Starr and her son Skyy, a kindergartner who has been using the QuickTalker Freestyle speech device for two years. Their story is one of patience, consistency, and the kind of small wins that add up to something big.

All About Skyy

Skyy is in Kindergarten with a busy schedule and an even bigger personality. He loves gymnastics, action figures, music, and time on his tablet, and he loves school. Skyy is Autistic and has alopecia, and he communicates in his own way: through his QuickTalker Freestyle, signs, gestures, pictures, and plenty of hugs. When he and his mom aren’t busy with school and activities, you’ll find them watching science movies together or shopping for shoes, two of their favorite things to share.

Every Button Means Something

Communication in Starr and Skyy’s home is a team effort, and it takes many forms. Skyy combines his QuickTalker Freestyle with signs, gestures, and pictures, and Starr meets him wherever he is. One routine has made all the difference: whatever button Skyy presses on his device is exactly what he gets. If he wants chips but presses pop-tarts, pop-tarts it is. It might sound simple, but that consistency teaches Skyy that every icon carries real meaning, and that his words, however he shares them, will always be honored.

The early wins came quickly. For Starr, it was finally being able to understand exactly what her child wanted. “Even something as small as recognizing the image of a coke on the device is very rewarding,” she shares. Two years in, the device has taken the frustration out of everyday moments. Skyy can communicate comfortably, his family no longer has to guess, and his QuickTalker Freestyle gives him a voice that is all his own.

The Button That Said “Mom”

Some moments stop you in your tracks. Recently at school, Skyy’s teacher asked him what he wanted. He reached for his device and pressed the icon that said “mom.”

For Starr, that one button press says everything: Skyy knows what matters most to him, and he has the tools to say it clearly, confidently, and all on his own.

You Can Do Hard Things

Starr’s advice for families just getting started comes from experience. Skyy’s diagnosis came early, and she leaned into every resource she could find. “Use all the resources that are possible, and be open-minded,” she says. Progress doesn’t always look the way you expect, but every button press is a step forward.

It’s fitting that the family’s favorite saying is “You can do hard things.” Starr and Skyy prove it every day: one icon, one win, one conversation at a time.

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.