Episode 349: Kayla Ireland: Empowering Total Communication

This week, we share Rachel’s interview with Kayla Ireland! Kayla is an AAC user, college student, podcaster, and advocate who lives with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. She amplifies diverse voices through her shows, shares her personal communication journey, and demonstrates resilience and creativity in using multiple modes of communication!

Key Ideas This Week:

The power of mindset and belief — Rachel shares how her mother’s cancer journey has shown the importance of optimism, presence, and reframing difficult experiences. She connects this lesson to her professional work, emphasizing that believing in someone’s potential can transform outcomes.

Communication is multimodal — Kayla Ireland highlights that AAC is not just about devices. She uses a blend of sign language, fingerspelling, body language, vocalizations, and technology. Her advice is to use total communication and not force a hierarchy of methods.

Efficiency and individuality in AAC use — Kayla explains that one or two words can carry the meaning of a full sentence, and sometimes spelling or gestures are faster than devices. She encourages professionals to respect user preferences and contexts rather than strictly focusing on grammar or pre-programmed systems.

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Transcript of the Episode

Please Note: This transcript was generated using speech recognition & AI tools; it may contain some grammatical and/or spelling errors.

00:00:08 Chris Bugaj
Welcome to Talking with Tech. My name is Chris Bugaj and I'm here with Rachel Madel. Rachel, you're back. You're back. It's great to have you back. Last couple episodes it was Melissa and I. Plus, people may have recognized in the feed that we've had a little bit of hiccup in our schedule. We've been having behind the scenes conversations about that. But let's. Yeah, how to the extent you're, you're comfortable, Rachel, you want to tell people what's been going on that in talking with Tech life and maybe in your life.

00:00:34 Rachel Madel
Yes, Chris. So last summer, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. And so it was just completely devastating to our family. And she's been such a strong force. I feel like I always knew that about my mom, but this entire experience has just solidified that for me. So she, you know, went through the standard chemo, radiation. I've been spending a lot of time on the East Coast. I'm from right outside of Philly originally, and that's where basically my whole family lives. And so to help her through treatment, I was spending a lot of time just living basically at her house. I'm so grateful that my work is remote. That's one of the biggest blessings this entire year has been for me. It's just like, wow, like, I am so lucky that I, I can do my work remotely. I, you know, from a clinical standpoint, most of what I do is coaching and so I do that virtually. And then of course, I have a team of therapists in la, but it's just such a blessing. And so my mom was, you know, in a pretty good place. And then in April, unfortunately found out that the cancer had spread to her brain, so she had to have emergency brain surgery. Super scary. Like, there's just nothing that can prepare you for news like that. Even when you know that there's a cancer diagnosis and you know that that's a possibility, it's just like been a really, a really emotionally challenging journey. And it's also worth mentioning, I have an incredibly close relationship with my mom. It's like we talk all the time. We are constantly spending time together and prioritizing time together. And so she's like the person that I love the most in the world. And so when you get news like cancer, it's just like such a gut wrenching feeling. And, you know, it's been a year now since she's been diagnosed and, you know, it has. She, she had the brain surgery. She like crushed it like so proud of her. She was in. It was, it was a blessing because as soon as I found out, I flew, I was in la, flew back to the east coast and she had to go off one of her medications before she could have the surgery. And it gave us this beautif window of like eight days where we just were able to be with one another and really, really like, work on her mindset. Because I like, I'm such a big believer in the mind body connection. And just like we. It was like I was leading like a mini like spiritual retreat. I feel like I was like, we were like getting up every day. We were like meditating. And you know, she's such a great sport. You know, she was never doing things like that before her cancer diagnosis. But she's been so open to really any and all potential that could help support her healing. And so that week, while it was incredibly challenging and we were, you know, fighting fear a lot of times, by the end of that time together, right before her surgery, we were in just this really amazing place. So many people also were sending prayers. We had like a group prayer that I know Chris, you joined, which I was really grateful for and so many of my friends and family. So she felt really strong going into that surgery and she was in just such a great headspace. It was incredible. And then she got out of the surgery. It was supposed to be like a six hour surgery. The surgeon like came into the waiting room and like tapped on my shoulder and woke me up. And because we had to get up at like, you know, 4am for the surgery and I was like, oh my God. My, like heart dropped, I thought, oh my God, something went wrong. Like, it's only like 10:30. Like, why is she already out here? And she's like, your mom's done. She's. She did great. It only took, you know, a few hours. It was like she flew through the surgery. Like she woke up obviously in, you know, incredible amounts of pain. But, you know, she's like telling me, like, I'm so grateful, like, I'm so happy. Like she's like crying tears of joy. And it was just like a remarkable recovery. She just like, even like she was in a neuro ICU at the University of Pennsylvania. So all they do is brain surgery there and help people recover from brain surgery. And the nurses were like, she doesn't even seem like she had brain surgery. I'm like, I know. So I think it's just a testament to her strength and also her mindset. Like, she so dialed in with believing that she was going to be, you know, healing, believing that she was going to be the exception to the rule. And so it's just like, has really been a beautiful thing to see her with such an incredible mindset and it has been such a beautiful experience for me to witness. You know, you kind of get to a crossroads when you have a diagnosis of cancer and you can choose to just believe that you're not going to survive, or you can choose to believe that you will beat the odds and be the exception to the rule. And it's a choice that you make every day and every moment, oftentimes of the day. And the more you make the choice to believe that you will, you know, be the exception to the rule, you just like start seeing your mindset just change over time and you start seeing the body heal over time too. So it's been, it's been a very hard year behind the scenes. I've also been, you know, still working and trying to work and still trying to kind of live a normal life. But ultimately it's been a lot of time with my mom and I am really grateful for that time. We've had incredible memories that we've created and it just, it's been really challenging. But I also am just so grateful. The time that I spend with her. I'm so present. I'm so there with her. We've had conversations that I never imagined that we would ever have and we've built so many memories over the last year. And it's. It's definitely the silver lining that I've been just kind of so present with her and just so grateful for every single moment that we've. We've shared.

00:06:42 Chris Bugaj
Yeah. Yeah, for sure. I mean, it does seem like when something like that happens or on your day to day basis, you sort of take things for granted. And then when something like that happens, it's. Oh my goodness, it. It's like a magnet to drawing each, each person together. And then you have these rich experiences together that you might otherwise would be like, what'd you do today, Mom? I just went grocery shopping.

00:07:03 Rachel Madel
Okay.

00:07:03 Chris Bugaj
Yeah, me too. And then you don't talk about anything now you're having these deep conversations and connect in a way that you probably are already connected, but not having those sorts of conversations, at least.

00:07:13 Rachel Madel
Totally. Totally. And yeah, even like right the night before the surgery, of course there's a lot of anticipation, a lot of nerves and you know, we were sitting and just like before bed hanging out and we're just like laughing and like Giggling and having the best time. And she, like, paused, and she's like, are we not taking this brain surgery serious enough? And I just, like, I started laughing, and I was like. At first I thought maybe, right? Maybe we're not. And I was like, no, Mom. I was like, hold on a second. Like, just because you have brain surgery, it's not like we're not showing up for the surgery tomorrow, right? Like, we're going, like, you're doing the surgery. We don't have to be in a place of fear. Like, we can be enjoying each other's company and. And really, like, embracing the moments that we have together. And I thought it was just like, it's such a. It's a memory that I'll never forget. Because, like, we both looked at each other like, wait a second. And I was like, no, no, no. Like, there's. There's nothing that says that we have to be, you know, in this place of, like, fear and, you know, this mindset of doom, right? Like, it's like, we have to fight that because that's a normal human response. And, like, also feel all the feelings that go along with that. But, like, if we can choose to just, like, be present in the moment with one another and enjoy our time together, like, what a beautiful gift.

00:08:35 Chris Bugaj
These expressions exist for a reason. Laughter is the best medicine, right? So here we are. How do we get our fears out? We're going to laugh about it and make it silly and have fun together and make that a good memory rather than something morose. Right. Something else that you did, Rachel, that you didn't say explicitly. So I want to call it out. That was really helpful. You know, we say on this podcast, the minutes count. You know, how many minutes you're working with kids and with your family, all that kind of stuff. And a way that you sort of maximized your minutes that I saw was, you know, everyone in your family and friends, their network would be reaching out, going, how's mom? How's mom? How's mom? And what you did was, hey, I'm going to put this on. It's sort of like a personal blog, but it was a Google Doc and just said, check in on the Google Doc. That's where I'm going to put the update. So this, again, maximizes your time with your mom. You're not emailing or texting a billion people back. You're focused on your mom. I just thought that was a brilliant move.

00:09:32 Rachel Madel
Yeah, I mean, it's like such a testament, I think, to my personality. I'm like, how do I automate these messages of well wishes and, you know, check ins? And so, yeah, it was one of the smartest things I thought of actually, because I'm so blessed to have so many incredible people in my life. Like, I was just the outpouring of support that I felt both from my, you know, network of friends and family. But also I ended up posting on social media and just like so many messages and so many comments and like, I really believe in the power of collective thought prayer. Like, all of that healing energy that was sent to my mom, like, I really believe is what helped her, you know, do so well in the surgery and heal so quickly. And so, yeah, like, the Google Doc has been really a game changer. It's also like, you know, it's not just like the medical updates. I'm like, she's in a good mindset today. Here's a picture, like, Matt came over. Matt's my twin brother. Matt came over to visit today. And so it's just been a really great way to help everyone, like, follow along without having to kind of, you know, send the message. Because we were getting so many messages and all her friends were messaging too. And it was just like, okay, like, there has to be like a simpler way. And I think that's been a really useful tool to just like, again, save my precious energy and also keep everyone up to date. Like, people are still checking in and I know you check in and on it. Like before people ask me, how's mom, they're like, oh, I checked and I saw like, she's doing really great. So yeah, I think that's been a game changer. You're not the only person that's like, that was so smart. Like, what a great idea.

00:11:16 Chris Bugaj
Yeah, that was a great move. So we're with the recording right now. How is she doing? What's the status update?

00:11:23 Rachel Madel
Yeah, great question. I sure. That's like the million dollar question. Everyone's like, how is she? So she, she just had another kind of brain tumor pop up. She was having some neurological symptoms that came on suddenly not being able to see fully walk. And so she ended up having radiation to that new tumor. Other than that, she's pretty much stable. So it's like she's doing an amazing job. She's following actually a therapeutic ketogenic diet. It's an incredibly hard diet to follow. And so I'm just like, so, so proud that she has like completely shifted her, her lifestyle. You know, she was already pretty healthy as, as far as what she Would do. Eating wise, diet wise. But yeah, so she's following that, and she's in a good place. You know, she's. She's, again, like, very cognizant of the situation that she's in. But, like, she's waking up every day, she's going outside, spending time in nature. That's, like, her happy place. She's. She's really, really prioritizing mindset, and that is, I think, one of the most important things. And, you know, full circle. Chris. I feel like it's the most important thing with the work that we do with the students that use aac. Right. It's like we have to believe in their potential to communicate, and just like, the power of belief is just the ultimate. The ultimate thing that can. That can, you know, change a trajectory so quickly is, like, believing. Um, and so I'm just, like, grateful that I. The background of teaching, the power of mindset. I also have experienced it in my own life, and so it's felt like an incredible gift to be able to share with my mom, and I know that she shared with me, like, how supportive that's felt. And I'm just. I'm so happy that I have that, you know, skill in my back pocket and that understanding, because I think it's. It's not something that, like, you know, we're taught in schools or anything like that. It's like you have to kind of of start understanding over time. Like, oh, like, there's such thing as, like, you know, really strong belief systems, and then there's limiting beliefs and, like, where are we at right now? And, like, really having that awareness can really, you know, shift and change your biology, like, very quickly when it comes to healing. Yeah.

00:13:45 Chris Bugaj
I mean, it makes a lot of sense to me that I don't imagine things vacillate at times when you want to drift over to limiting belief. And then because you have this background and experience of going, well, wait a second, I recognize that that's limiting belief. Get out of here. Limiting belief. Right. And you can combat it.

00:14:01 Rachel Madel
Totally. Totally. Yeah. It's been. It is a constant practice. It's not, you know, I think it's like, we're hardwired as humans for, like, survival and focusing on the negative and, like, trying to just keep ourselves safe. But, like, you know, we also have the ability to be very aware of those thoughts, aware of those negative, limiting beliefs, and we can change the script, we can change the narrative. It just takes some extra effort and some practice. But over time, it's like that's the reason that Gratitude practice is so powerful. It's like you're training your brain every day to focus on the things that you're grateful for in your life, and that just makes a big impact over time.

00:14:40 Chris Bugaj
Yeah. Well, on behalf of all the listeners of Talking With Tech, I'd say that's awesome news. Everyone's behind you. Everyone's behind your mom. We're all sending you the powerful good energy that you need and deserve. And then you also brought up AAC users and that is exactly what the interview is today.

00:15:01 Rachel Madel
Yes, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kayla Ireland. Kayla is an incredible AAC user, doing lots of amazing things in the community. Of course, like AAC User Episodes are my absolute favorite episodes. There's no better way to understand and learn about AAC than to listen to someone that has a lived experience. And you know, this interview is no different. I'm really excited to share all of the gems of wisdom that she shared with me. She's doing really amazing things and so I'm really excited to share the interview I did with Kayla Ireland.

00:15:45 Chris Bugaj
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00:16:18 Rachel Madel
Welcome to Talking With Tech. I'm your host Rachel Madel, joined today by Kayla Ireland. Kayla is the host of the Kindly neurodivergent Show with K, a show that raises awareness about neurodivergence. She is the Office Manager at Silver Speech and co hosts the Inside Scoop of Living with Cerebral Palsy, which highlights CP awareness. Kayla is also a co author of Living with Cereal Palsy, a powerful collection of personal stories led by Kyle Scott. She co hosts Rock the World with Kay and Michelle, a podcast dedicated to amplifying voices, breaking barriers, and celebrating resilience. Kayla is the Communication Assistant and a dedicated member of many committees for Little Britches Therapeutic Writing, where she's an avid and experienced horseback rider. Kayla is also a college student at Community College. As you see, she is happy, motivated and active, vibrant female with cerebral palsy and epilepsy who has defied the odds. Kayla, thank you so much. I'm so excited to have you here today.

00:17:23 Kayla Ireland
Thank you for inviting me on and for the introduction. I look forward to discussing my communication journey. Before we begin, I respectfully request that if you witness any pauses during this show, please continue watching. I'm composing a spontaneous comment or question, someone processing their thoughts in addition to repeating something that was unintelligible or misunderstood. It is natural discourse and we can choose not to say anything while this is occurring.

00:18:01 Rachel Madel
I love that you mentioned that Kayla, because I was just mentioning before we hit the record button that our audio engineer Michaela we've had multiple discussions on this podcast when we have AAC users on how do we handle all the pausing. And I think Mikayla does a really amazing job of of honoring the pauses and the space and time. It takes an A user to compose a message in real time and also doing a little bit of editing to shorten up the podcast a little bit. So I'm happy that you mentioned that.

00:18:59 Kayla Ireland
I personally don't edit those because in real life if you meet me, there's no edits.

00:19:05 Rachel Madel
I love that you're a fellow podcaster, which I also love and we'll get to in a second. So whenever we have AAC users on our podcast, we love to just hear about their AAC journey. I think it really exemplifies that it is a journey sometimes. Can you just begin by sharing a little bit about your journey with aac?

00:19:29 Kayla Ireland
I started therapy at one year old. I was immediately labeled non verbal. The speech therapist introduced sign language to jump start my expressive communication. It was determined that fingerspilling was easier physically for me and more universal to teach others. I later learned how to communicate with the world through an augmentative and alternative communication device. To match me with a reliable voice, I had an AAC evaluation. This assessment helped my team determine methods, devices, techniques, symbols and or strategies to represent and or augment my spoken and or written language. Initially I had a communication device called Dynavox. It had pre programmed grids filled with picture vocabulary buttons to formulate sentences and a keyboard with word prediction. While it taught me the value of technology, voice activated communication and more diversity in my vocabulary, I experienced a lot of intense feelings towards my big, bulky and expensive Dynavox. My biggest complaint was that it constantly kept freezing, especially when I had something important to say. Many repairs were necessary for this dinosaur and let's not underestimate the stress. In high school it was suggested that I bring in my 9.4 inch iPad and use the communication application called Proloquo or To Go. I prefer not to utilize the pre programmed grids that are automatically provided on Prolo or To Go. It is too limiting and reminds me of the dinosaur I had. However, I take advantage of pre programming my thoughts for any presentations, interviews and or conversations I participate in. After graduation, I have another AAC evaluation where I switch to the device that I still have now, a 12.9-inch iPad Pro. It allows me to split the screen and use both academic apps and Proloquo 2 go at the same time, offering the flexibility, reliability, accuracy and control I need.

00:22:08 Rachel Madel
I think that your journey with AAC is very similar to a lot of other AAC users we've had on in that it's not like the first thing that was tried was the thing that you ended up with. And there's lots of iterations and figuring out what is the most supportive system. Also, sometimes it's not just one, which was definitely eye opening to me when I first started doing this podcast and talking to a lot more people who use aac. And so I think that that is a really good reminder for the clinicians listening to this podcast or maybe parents who are just starting off on an AAC journey. We do our best in an assessment process to try to get it right, but ultimately we have to do our best job to support the individual in front of us. And that means sometimes kind of coming back to the drawing board and figuring out what's working and what's not. Yeah. So, you know, because you have had a lot of experience with aac, you're doing amazing, incredible work in the world. Tell me a little bit about what you've learned and perhaps some advice that you would give to either other AAC users or family members of people who use aac. What would you say to them?

00:23:24 Kayla Ireland
Looking back, Dynavox should have it better service and support. Although it technically had the same features that Proloquo2go offers today, I had terrible luck with their products. My biggest piece of advice is to use total communication. If someone doesn't understand your speech, vocalizations or sign language, you need to have another method available.

00:23:53 Rachel Madel
Yeah, I think that's such a good piece of advice because a lot of these people who are listening to this podcast are like very device focused and you know, with good reason because there's a lot of amazing things that technology can do. But it's not to forget some of the foundational communication, you know, skills like gestures and vocalizations. And so I love that you mentioned that because I feel like there's lots of different ways that an individual can communicate and really recognizing that.

00:24:23 Kayla Ireland
I don't like forcing a hierarchy of communication styles. I don't categorize people as unfamiliar communication partners. I use whatever comes natural in the moment. Fingerspelling, verbalizing letters and words. Body language or my device.

00:24:45 Rachel Madel
I have another question about that. What do you do when you're communicating with maybe a communication partner that's new. And you haven't communicated with before. And there's a breakdown in communication.

00:25:27 Kayla Ireland
Totally depends on multiple factors. Like if I am horseback riding.

00:25:34 Rachel Madel
Yeah. I can imagine that. That using a device when you're on the back of a horse could be a little challenging. No, tell me more, because I don't know. Actually, we did have an interview with. I'm trying to think of the. The interview that we did, but it was an SLP who worked at a facility where they were doing AAC and equestrian therapy at the same.

00:26:07 Kayla Ireland
I don't try that.

00:26:12 Rachel Madel
You don't try that. You're using. Are you using vocalizations and gestures?

00:26:29 Kayla Ireland
Unsigned.

00:26:30 Rachel Madel
Unsigned.

00:26:41 Kayla Ireland
And if my shirt has lettering on.

00:26:43 Rachel Madel
It, meaning you point to the letters on your shirt to spell. I've never heard that, but I love that. How clever.

00:27:13 Kayla Ireland
In any environment or if I see any lettering.

00:27:22 Rachel Madel
So anytime there's letters available, you'll use them to start spelling. I love that. You know, I want to share. I don't. I. I haven't talked to a lot of AAC users that are really using sign language. So I love that you're really utilizing that as an approach. Can you tell me a little bit more about.

00:27:57 Kayla Ireland
Technically, I use fingerspelling and basic sign language due to fine motor skills and easier for family.

00:28:06 Rachel Madel
So is your family fluent in figure spelling?

00:28:28 Kayla Ireland
The ones I always see.

00:28:31 Rachel Madel
Makes sense. And I love that you are able to utilize a system like that with your family that you're close with. Because ultimately, what I'm hearing you say is the most kind of efficient means of communication in that moment. Based on the context that you're in, the people that you're with, and the different systems and modalities of communication that you have. You're selecting which one makes the most sense in that situation. Yeah. Yeah. Which I know. Well, I'm gonna. I'm gonna ask you another question, but I have a feeling you have a lot of thoughts on using the. The term non verbal. So I'm gonna ask you really quickly to tell me about the most challenging aspect that you found being an AAC user.

00:29:33 Kayla Ireland
At times, I preferred signing over using my device, especially when it could take longer to find the right picture than to fingerspell. Now that my device is fully text based, it can still sometimes be quicker for me to fingerspell instead of pecking out words letter by letter, even with predictive text.

00:29:57 Rachel Madel
Yeah, I mean, I totally hear that. And I feel like we've talked to some AAC users on this podcast and they've said spelling is actually faster for them and easier for them than symbol based communication. So it sounds like you're using proloquo for text.

00:30:26 Kayla Ireland
But blank.

00:30:29 Rachel Madel
A blank one. Really? Okay, so you're using it. I think what you're saying is you're using Proloquo2Go, but it's a blank template. And then you're what, programming phrases that you need or using it? Tell me more. I need to know. I need to understand this better. Now.

00:31:01 Kayla Ireland
I only program for meetings and interviews.

00:31:06 Rachel Madel
Otherwise you're spelling in real time with the keyboard. Okay. I would have never thought to set up a system like that. So I'm super curious. Were you working with an SLP who suggested that? Did you come up with that on your own? That was you. That was you. I love that.

00:31:43 Kayla Ireland
Because I don't find the grids helpful due to how much my conversations can cover.

00:31:50 Rachel Madel
You know what? I'm gonna have to agree with you, Kayla. I find that oftentimes the templates are very limiting. And why are they set up this way? This makes no sense to me.

00:32:20 Kayla Ireland
Especially as you are witnessing with me.

00:32:23 Rachel Madel
Yeah, you're pretty fast, if I do say so myself. So I feel like you've landed on a really solid system.

00:32:39 Kayla Ireland
Depending on spasticity.

00:32:42 Rachel Madel
So meaning different days and times. Perhaps you have different levels of spasticity, which affects your. Your rate. Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. Okay, we're going to circle back to the term non verbal. I want to hear your thoughts on it.

00:33:00 Kayla Ireland
I say I'm non verbal because to me that means I use non verbal communication. I don't fully understand the shift to calling it non speaking. And personally, I question why my spoken language sometimes gets labeled as approximations if I have to work so hard to get those out. And intelligible.

00:33:23 Rachel Madel
I love that. And I feel like that's such a good point because so often we use these terms and there's such a negative connotation to them. And it's like, who gets to decide how intelligible or not intelligible a word is? And who gets to decide if we call it a word or a word approximation? Like, it's such a gray zone. And I feel like you bring up a really good point.

00:33:49 Kayla Ireland
What is your view?

00:33:51 Rachel Madel
Yeah, I mean, you're really opening my eyes to this. I haven't thought about it before now, but it's so subjective. Right. So what I would consider a word approximation. Someone else might consider a word. So if there's no real clear delineation as to what a word is versus a word approximation, it's hard to kind of say what's what. And to your point, you know, there is some somewhat of a negative connotation to saying someone is communicating with word approximations. Yeah, Drop the mic. You like that?

00:34:27 Kayla Ireland
I don't even understand total communication.

00:34:30 Rachel Madel
Yeah, yeah. It's kind of like these, these buzzwords or jargon that SLPs use that doesn't always make sense. And in some ways I feel like we're kind of challenging some of those things. Right. Like, I think that's why we're seeing things. Like I prefer to be called, you know, non speaking instead of non verbal. And one of the things that I really like is, you know, with information being so accessible and people being able to share their opinions so easily. Now what we're hearing is more voices of AAC users aut adults. And so I love that we're shifting the narrative to listening to these voices and they get to decide what feels good to them and how they want to be, what language they. They want to use in regards to their communication, their diagnosis.

00:35:27 Kayla Ireland
And I don't always have technology.

00:35:31 Rachel Madel
Meaning you don't always have technology to communicate or it's not always in front of you. It's not always in front of you. Yeah. So you have to have backup means for communication. Yeah. People love stories, Kayla, and I'm curious if you have any fun or heartwarming stories to share with our audience.

00:36:04 Kayla Ireland
I had to take a placement test to determine which math and English courses were best suited for me. I was placed into a six credit developmental English course. Don't you know that my relationship with language is complex? For example, if I am hungry, I sign or verbalize it instead of I want to eat or I am hungry. This is because in the nonverbal world, one or two words equate to a whole sentence. Ugh. I waited as long as I could to take any English courses. However, despite my initial placement, my professor astoundingly informed me that I would do fine in the three credit version of her course. I shockingly received an A in every English course I took. One of my papers was published in the composition anthology.

00:37:05 Rachel Madel
I love that. How Amazing. And I think the thing that I love the most about what you said, which was kind of an aha moment for me listening, was this idea that in the nonverbal world, one or two words can equate to a whole sentence. And I feel like that's important because. Because as speech language pathologists, we are so focused on trying to expand utterance length and help our students formulate in full sentences and use grammar. And not to negate the importance of that, but I think what I'm hearing you say is that it's a lot faster and easier for you to communicate with one or two words and that there's nothing wrong with that because I think it's very much viewed from parents or educators or even clinicians that you know will know. Like just saying eat isn't enough. Like say it in a whole sentence, prove you can say it in a whole sentence. And so what I'm hearing from you is that that should be enough.

00:38:07 Kayla Ireland
Does that make sense? Or do you need an example?

00:38:11 Rachel Madel
I would love you to give you to get. Let me say that again. I would love for you to give me an example.

00:38:31 Kayla Ireland
My daily request versus a five page college paper with enough details.

00:38:46 Rachel Madel
That makes sense. So I think what I'm hearing you say is that depending on the context, like, you can use a lot more words and language. And in your everyday requests, when you're communicating with familiar communication partners, you don't have to use as much.

00:39:17 Kayla Ireland
It is a language barrier because I am forced to expand.

00:39:28 Rachel Madel
That makes sense.

00:39:43 Kayla Ireland
Do you want to rephrase what I'm saying?

00:39:47 Rachel Madel
No, I think I understand and I really appreciate it. Unless you want to rephrase it. I'm happy to have you rephrase it if you want.

00:40:03 Kayla Ireland
Are you surprised that I feel that way?

00:40:06 Rachel Madel
No, I am not, actually. I mean, I've never thought about it that way because my clinician brain is always thinking, like, longer sentences, more grammar, how do we keep supporting that? And so I'm happy you shared that because it's a really good reframe to think. Sure. Like, do we want to teach these skills to a student who doesn't have them yet? Like how to use specific grammar, how to expand sentences, sentence, and use lots of different vocabulary. However, the lens I was not thinking through until this conversation was how do we also help support fast, efficient communication with family members and communication partners that are familiar when the context is. I'm asking for just a basic request.

00:40:56 Kayla Ireland
College education demands.

00:40:59 Rachel Madel
Yeah. Which they demand a whole lot more. And luckily I'm not in college anymore because I didn't like writing those long papers. You're like, I don't like that either. Oh, Kayla, I've had so much fun talking to you today. I'm really so excited to share this interview. What is next on the horizon for you?

00:41:19 Kayla Ireland
I'm preparing for my second horse show in October. I also want to write an autobiography one day.

00:41:28 Rachel Madel
Well, you're definitely gonna have to share that with me and the world because I'm excited for both of those things. For people who are looking to connect with you, what is the best way to do that?

00:41:41 Kayla Ireland
I'm always looking for people to talk to on my podcasts. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

00:41:52 Rachel Madel
Before we go, fellow podcaster, tell me about your podcast.

00:41:59 Kayla Ireland
Well, I have three: the inside scope of living with cerebral palsy, Kindly neurodivergent with K, Rock the world with K and Michelle.

00:42:16 Rachel Madel
And the good news is we have all of those and we're going to link to those in our show notes. So for people who want to follow you, they can easily go to our show notes and find them. Kayla, thank you so much for coming on. It was such a pleasure to talk to you and I'm so excited to share this interview.

00:42:32 Kayla Ireland
I can't wait to schedule you.

00:42:35 Rachel Madel
I will definitely come on your podcast. It'd be my pleasure. Thank you so much for listening for talking with tech. I'm Rachel Maidel joined by Kayla Ireland. Thank you guys so much for listening and we'll talk to you next time week.