Abigail Finney is a middle school technology teacher, wife, and mother to three boys. William, the oldest child, uses AAC and is now 10. He has used LAMP Words for Life since he was three and through practice and determination, has become quite fluent with language. She immersed herself with how best to teach William. Because William has severe speech and global Apraxia, due to his Phelan McDermid syndrome, talking and writing are not done traditionally. As a teacher with special education certification, she thought she had some knowledge as to what is best, but was quickly humbled and knew that she would have to lean into William’s strengths while also following research to teach him. During Covid she became William’s teacher/para and learned, through research and observation, how to adjust her teaching to fit his needs. This journey has certainly taught her to follow research, have realistic expectations, but always, always, maintain a strong “assume competency” attitude.

 

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Abigail Finney has no financial disclosures to report.

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