From Self-Advocacy to Reimagination
By Andryce Andres / June 2026
I pause when I hear my youngest child lift her voice to my oldest:
“I don’t like when you do that. This isn’t a fun game anymore.”
She self‑advocates. She names her need.
Then I hear a quiet “oh,” followed by, “What about…?”
And just like that, the two of them reimagine the game so that everyone’s needs are honored.
This is what communication access looks like in real time: a moment of rupture, a moment of repair, and a shared commitment to reimagine.
Self‑advocacy phrases are essential on any AAC system. They are not extras. They are not advanced. They are foundational. Phrases like: I need space. I don’t understand. Don’t do that. Stop. Hear me. I have a different idea. Not right now. This is not accessible. I have the right to be treated with dignity.
Every child deserves the language to protect their boundaries, express their needs, and shape their world.
Every child deserves partners who listen, adjust, and co‑create a path forward.
Self‑advocacy is not defiance or noncompliance. It is humanity. It is safety. It is belonging.
Unsure of how to begin?
