Meeting Nick Roussos for the first time is essentially a quick lesson in the advances of technology. He uses an ECO II device, fondly named “Percy”, to speak …. a computer, if you will.
Kids from all over Colorado have enjoyed learning how Nick communicates. During his presentations in schools, he carries along his first ECO model so that students and teachers can test drive it themselves! Click here to see Nick’s Speaker Flyer.
The Children’s Hospital Colorado, in conjunction with Colorado Easter Seal Society, conducts a Camp in the summer for kids who use such a device to communicate. Talking With Technology (TWT) Camp is a week-long program developed by Children’s Hospital Colorado for young people ages 6 to 21 who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Children’s Hospital Colorado contracts with the Colorado Easter Seal Society for this week to be held each summer at its camp facility, Rocky Mountain Village, in Empire, Colorado.
This unique week-long program pairs the child with a graduate student or professional trainer the camper knows from school (such as a OT, paraprofessional, speech or ABA therapist). The pair then train together throughout the week.
What an amazing opportunity to find ways for those without the ability to speak to find effective alternatives to make themselves heard!
Thanks Children’s Hospital and Colorado Easter Seals. Your work is truly awesome!
Not only does Jessica Sorgani touch many children’s lives as a speech therapist in a local elementary school, but she has also proven herself to be a friend and advocate to Nick and Awesome in Action. Jessica’s quiet and fun-loving demeanor is contagious, and Nick loves working with her in all capacities. As an experienced speech language pathologist, Jessica is very knowledgeable of Nick’s speech device, as well as communication in general. Lucky for us, Jessica has put this skill to work in order to help further the message of acceptance and inclusion that Awesome in Action shares with students throughout Northern Colorado. She helped Nick connect with many teachers in order to set up a presentation in the school where she works. This process can be tedious, but Jessica did not give in. She communicated over a course of a couple months with Nick and the team of teachers in order to coordinate a date for the presentation. As a result, Nick has met a fun new group people who truly care about expanding knowledge beyond the classroom for their students. Nick is very proud to know such a dedicated and driven Speech Language Pathologist! Thank you, Jessica, for being an Awesome Advocate!