Løvemammaene at the Frambu conference

On Thursday 1 June, deputy chairperson Elin Gunnarsson and deputy member Helle Cecilie Palmer attended the Frambu conference. The theme of the conference was "Rare communication".

Løvemammaene were invited to a conversation about ASK – alternative and supplementary communication, which is a topic we work on a lot. Løvemammaene are concerned that language is a human right, and that people who do not have verbal speech have the right to express themselves. Elin and Helle emphasized that children without verbal language must also be taken seriously.

Elin talked about what is important for William to be able to use his language, and we got to see a video of William using his eye-controlled speech machine. The spectators were also shown that not wanting to say anything is also communication. 

Helle talked about Aurora's language and how it is made up of different types of symbols and signs. To interpret Aurora, it is important to be aware and present. It requires time and familiarity with the signals Aurora gives. A film was shown where Aurora says that she is thirsty, which emphasizes how important it is to know Aurora well.

Both William and Aurora depend on having people around them who know them, in whom they are confident, and who can interpret their signals.

Although William and Aurora have been granted their rights to tools to help them understand and be understood, it is not so easy to achieve in practice. A bad conscience about not doing enough, or not being able to prioritize ASK, was something that both Elin and Helle said they felt. Unfortunately, much of the work falls on parents, and then there are often other things that have to be prioritized. We want ASK professionals around the children who have overall responsibility for the tools actually being used, updated and functioning.

You can watch the entire conference recorded at Frambu's website. You can find the conversation with the Løvemammaene by fast-forwarding to time 4.33.00.