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How Katie Got a Voice and a cool new nickname

This movie provides tips on Disability Etiquette in kid-friendly terms. The illustrations are taken from a children's book, "How Katie Got a Voice (and a Cool New Nickname)." The book celebrates that which makes us all unique, but also highlights how sometimes a little help is needed to show us how much we are alike. The story is told by a fourth grade classmate of Katie, the new girl in school. All of the adults and children in the "school have nicknames related to their individual interests and personalities. When Katie comes into the class, the students are eager to involve her in their activities and to learn what is special about her. This proves to be quite a challenge. Katie has significant physical disabilities which make her dependent on a Personal Care Assistant for everything, even communicating. How can Katie fit in with her classmates when she can't even talk? When Katie is introduced to assistive technology, she is finally able to communicate with her new friends. As a result, the students are delighted to see her as a person with many interests and abilities, just like them. Katie knows she is a valued member of the school when she is given her own special nickname. This book can be read in the classroom, in speech/language therapy, and at home as a way to open a discussion about acceptance, inclusion, disability etiquette, the importance of effective communication, and overcoming challenges through assistive technology. Discussion questions are posted on www.speakingofspeech.com on the Lesson Plans & Data Form page. The author, Patricia Mervine, is a speech/language pathologist and assistive technology consultant with 20 years' experience in working with students with significant communication disorders.

This movie provides tips on Disability Etiquette in kid-friendly terms. The illustrations are taken from a children's book, "How Katie Got a Voice (and a Cool New Nickname)." The book celebrates that which makes us all unique, but also highlights how sometimes a little help is needed to show us how much we are alike. The story is told by a fourth grade classmate of Katie, the new girl in school.... More