What is a "Sayard"? What type of AT is it?
Several years ago a friend of mine was helping to write the most recent version of the RESNA exam for the Assistive Technology Professional license. They were looking for diverse names to add to the exam. I got the best email from her. It was only a few sentences.
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"I tried to add you name to a question today. The test guy asked me what "SAYARD" is and what type of AT it is. Oh well. I tried. Haha."
IMPROVING PROCESSES
My base philosophy of assistive technology is that even though every individual is different you must have a core process and philosophy to ensure that every person gets equitable consideration and implementation.
Some students have told me what they need before I get my notebook open, or show ME how they are going to use a tool before I can start my sentence.
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Other students cannot describe their difficulty or disability and actively protest needing or using a tool.
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A good process can support both of these students in still receiving access to a Free Appropriate Public Education, allow them to express autonomy, self-determination, and support them as needed. It takes more than forms and checklists to get there. Let's talk.
CONSIDERATION
Call it what you will...Evaluation, Assessment, Consideration...to me, the end result is the most important part of the process. We want to help each student find the best way to accomplish the tasks at hand. Whether it be finding the best way to read, write, or even maintain positioning throughout the school day - finding the right assistive technology can make a HUGE difference for a student.
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My philosophy with matching tools is to use multiple models of consideration, a team approach, and student involvement to create the best plan. I use models including Task-Demand Analysis, SETT Framework, MPT, Socol's Toolbelt Theory, WATI, GPAT. In addition, when appropriate there are tools such as the DeCoste Writing Protocol, Protocol for Accommodations in Reading, and many other specific feature matching tools, depending on what is needed. (And, yes, that is an alphabet worth of acronyms! Don't worry, I know what they all mean and will be happy to go in depth on each one!)
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Assistive technology can feel complex because it isn't the same for every student. Though it doesn't have to be complex! Sometimes you simply need guidance down the right path, asking the right questions.
TRAINING
TEACHING
PRESENTATION
There is nothing more I love than sharing what I have learned, and continuing to learn. Over my career I have presented for everyone from parents learning about a child's new tool to state programs discussing processes for best practice. Whether you are starting out or looking to grow knowledge we can work together to plan something to work for your team.
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My training experiences include:
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Ablenet - Multiple presentations
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ASHA ​
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Certified SLP since 2010​
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ASHA Leader - Published Article on SLPs stepping into AT Roles
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ATIA - Presenter for over 10 years
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Closing the Gap - Presenter for over 10 years, published in magazine.
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College of DuPage - Adjunct Faculty 2024 - Present
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DCDT - Division of Career Development and Transition
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Heartland Conference - Invited presenter
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IATP - Consultation with the State AT project regarding 3D printing.
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Infinitec - Multiple presentation of webinars, website content, recorded content and full day content.
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Autism Badge Earned​
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ISHA - Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association. Presenter multiple years (invited and submitted)
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ISS - International Seating Symposium, Invited Presenter.
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Nebraska Department of Education - Recorded Webinars for staff education.
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NSM - National Seating Symposium, Invited Presenter
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QIAT - A member of the Volunteer QIAT Leadership Team
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QIAT - PS - A member of the curriculum development team for the QIAT - PS.
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RESNA Conference presenter, member in good standing
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ATP Certified since 2015​
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Southwest Cook County Cooperative - As part of my position supporting education for eleven member districts and specialty programs within the cooperative. Including collaboration with other local agencies.
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TouchChat Certified Trainer - Available for affordable training opportunities; free trainings scheduled occasionally both live and online.
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University of Illinois at Chicago - AT Certificate Program Adjunct Faculty 2018 - 2025
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UW Project ECHO - Contributor and presenter
MEET SAYARD
The Origin Story
Sit down, grab a cup of coffee, get to know me beyond my resume...
I have had the privilege of an interesting life. It has led me to feeling called to serve others to make their lives the most that they are able. My father had his Doctorate of Theology and served as a minister, camp director, and as a grief counselor. My mother has her Master's degree in teaching and researched test anxiety while teaching youth in first rural poor and then inner city areas. Mostly everyone in my extended family farmed, though we were the city kids for most of my life. It gave me a perspective that everyone doesn't live the same way.
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Growing up my school was very inclusive of Deaf students, it was a magnet program in the area for those who did not elect to attend the state school for the Deaf. There were Sign Interpreters in every class I was in until 8th grade. At this point in the 80's Signed Exact English and ASL were both being presented, it was interesting...we learned many ways to communicate with our peers. There were many opportunities as I got older to volunteer in the self-contained school which was close to my middle school. Our church partnered with an organization which housed many adults with severe disabilities whether congenital or acquired. Residents of a local group home attended our church. Difference and disability wasn't so much of a difference, it was just there.
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Being in a farming family, I had a great uncle who wore a prosthetic from losing his leg in a tractor accident (after coming through World War II unscathed!), another uncle lost his sight and both arms below the elbow in an explosion. One of my second cousins, born just a year after me, was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. Though my Great Uncle still farmed, my Uncle was the one who introduced me to Dragon Speak in the 90's, and he got his newspaper on cassette tapes! He ate with the coolest fork and spoon that fit onto his arms. My cousin...until he got a Power Chair, we took turns in the passenger seat bumping around the barnyard in a modified Power Wheels Jeep.
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I didn't initially go into speech pathology or rehabilitation. Initially I wanted to study genetic counseling! Though I shifted towards wanting to work in communications...(closer, but no cigar) by the time I graduated from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Then, another Uncle had a stroke while harvesting his field. While trying to climb out of his cab during this he fell to the ground and hit his head sustaining an additional brain injury (farmers...IYKYK). He was in a coma for a few months and awoke with no words. He gained them all back. That was the spark that sent me back like a message, a sign.
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I returned to school to complete pre-requisites at Saint Xavier in Chicago. Fun aside, Ashley Larissey (an amazing national AAC Specialist) started in the same class as me, we've been chatting for awhile. Then I followed up with my Master's Degree at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois where I frequented the SEAT Center (Special Education Assistive Technology) and fell in love with AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication). The rest, continues to be an interesting story. Though by my experiences, my faith, and my community I have come here at this point in time.
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I love to learn, my Dad shared his love of Gary Larson's The Far Side and Monty Python. I like to laugh, think out loud, think outside of the box. My Mom taught me how to organize and simplify complex concepts. Both of them taught me how to get in front of a room and preach and teach. When I present, I hope to make the audience stop and think, really look up and consider what they are hearing, and hopefully chuckle once or twice. I do research , bring in my experience in working with assistive technology at two different cooperatives as well as a small district, and go from there...
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I have earned my ATP (Assistive Technology Professional) Certification through RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America), my ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association) Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology, I am a member of the QIAT Leadership Group (Quality Indicators of Assistive Technology - A Grassroots think tank established in 1998).
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When I am not doing Assistive Technology, I live in a Western Suburb of Chicago where I do storytelling live onstage, run with a local run club (ask me what I'm training for currently!), enjoy learning new hobbies, going to multiple book clubs, playing board games, cooking, baking, teasing other local moms while we play Mahjong (all in good fun) and experiencing it all with my husband and two young children :).