ableFamilies in Real Life:

Meet Valerie & Beau

Welcome back to ableFamilies in Real Life, our series celebrating the families who make communication happen every single day. This time we are heading to Florida to meet Valerie and her son Beau. Beau is eight years old, and for about three years the QuickTalker Freestyle has been part of how he tells his family what he wants.

All About Beau

Beau is eight, he is autistic, and he is nonverbal. He is also a kid with a very clear list of favorite things: bubbles, bowling, swimming, and splash pads. Valerie has been a stay at home mom since practically the day he was born, and she keeps their weeks moving between medical appointments, therapies, and the recreational activities Beau loves.

The QuickTalker Freestyle came into the picture about three years ago, and Beau picked it up faster than anyone expected. After just a few tries, he was navigating it on his own.

Every Way Beau Has To Say It

Communication in Valerie and Beau’s house is not one single thing. Beau uses his QuickTalker Freestyle, and he also uses very basic sign language, visual aids, pointing at what he wants, and taking Valerie by the hand to bring her to it. Every one of those counts, and the QuickTalker Freestyle sits in the middle of them as the tool that lets him be specific.

What makes it stick is that the device is tied to the moments that matter most in his day. Beau uses it to say when he is ready for a bath, when he wants to head out, when he wants tickles, and when he needs sensory time like a turn on the swing. Those are not abstract lessons, they are the parts of the day Beau actually cares about, so the device always has a reason to be in his hands. For Valerie, the result is simple to describe and enormous to live with: it has helped Beau express himself more easily.

Asking For Tickles, And Picking The Spot

Ask Valerie for a recent QuickTalker Freestyle moment that made her smile, and she goes straight to tickles. Beau used his device to ask to be tickled, and then he went a step further and selected his stomach as the exact body part he wanted tickled.

It is a small sentence and an enormous one at the same time. Beau was not just asking for attention, he was directing it, choosing the spot, and telling his mom precisely what he wanted. That is what a talker is for.

Growing Together

Valerie’s advice for families just starting out is gentle and honest. “Give yourselves time and grace to navigate,” she says. She also encourages families to try it and see whether it fits, because she knows AAC does not look the same for everyone, and finding out what works for your own family is part of the process.

Her motto says the rest. “I want the best for Beau.” Or, as she also puts it, “I’m that Mom,” and “I don’t play about Beau.” Three years in, that is exactly what the QuickTalker Freestyle has become in their house, one more way Valerie makes sure Beau gets the best.

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.