As we reflect on 2023, all of us at Give Kids a Voice are filled with gratitude and pride for what we've achieved together. This past year has been remarkable, not only in our efforts but also in the incredible support we've received from our community. Impacting Lives, One Device at a Time Our core mission at...
As we embrace the holiday season, a time of joy and family gatherings, inclusivity remains paramount, especially for families of non-verbal autistic children. The Robert Norton Foundation, also known as Give Kids A Voice (www.givekidsavoice.org), is dedicated to providing bilingual Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to families in need, at no cost. This blog...
Communication is an integral part of human interaction, a bridge that connects us to the world around us. But for those with speech and communication disabilities, this bridge can be filled with challenges. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a field that empowers individuals with disabilities to express themselves, fostering independence and inclusion. October is...
Non-verbal autism, also known as nonverbal communication disorder or NVC, is a condition that affects an individual's communication abilities. It is a subtype of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which impacts one in 54 children in the United States. Individuals with non-verbal autism face significant challenges in expressing themselves and understanding others, making communication a daily struggle....
We’re back today to explore a crucial aspect of parenting a non-verbal autistic child - teaching self-soothing techniques. Managing emotions can be uniquely challenging for these children, particularly because of communication difficulties. However, with tools like Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, which our foundation is proud to supply free of charge, we can bridge...
Greetings from the Robert Norton Foundation! Today, we wish to highlight a program that has been making a significant difference in the lives of many families worldwide - the Sunflower Lanyard Program. The sunflower, with its cheerful color and robust nature, symbolizes strength, positivity, and resilience, an apt representation of our children with hidden disabilities. The...
On behalf of the Robert Norton Foundation, we'd like to shine a light on a challenging yet underexplored facet of family life within the autism community: being a sibling to a non-verbal autistic child. Navigating this journey as a parent is often a road less traveled, filled with joys, hurdles, shared experiences, and unique personal...
We have entered the chapter of double digits!We are celebrating a big milestone in our family this week as Robert turned 10 years old on June 28th. This brought back so many memories from the very first time I heard his heartbeat, to the first time I held him, to hearing him laugh and giggle....
Our application is completed! (YAY!!) We are beyond excited and proud to be able to annouce that our application is complete and we are ready to start helping families just like ours, give their children a voice. We need your help! We are looking for 5 families who have non-verbal children to test our application....
When school breaks for summer, the long, free days can seem daunting for parents, particularly those of non-verbal autistic children. Finding ways to keep them entertained, engaged, and continuing to learn can feel like a challenging task. But fear not, summer can indeed be a time of fun, growth, and togetherness. Here are some suggestions...