Berry Therapy Limited

We’re thrilled to announce that Annelyse Apicella has joined the Berry Therapy family as a Speech and Language Therapist! 🎉 Annelyse brings a wealth of passion, creativity, and expertise to our team. Originally from France, she spent six years teaching French at Bristol and Bath Universities before following her heart to retrain as a Speech and Language Therapist. Her deep love for language and communication, combined with her drive to help others find their voice, makes her an incredible addition to our AAC-focused team. 💬✨ Known for her positivity and innovative problem-solving, Annelyse’s friends and colleagues lovingly call her “The Cheerleader” 🥳 - and we can already feel her enthusiasm lifting us up! As we look ahead to 2025, we’re confident Annelyse’s creativity and solution-focused approach will help make a real difference in the lives of our clients. We’re so excited to have her on board to strengthen our mission of empowering individuals through AAC. Welcome to the team, Annelyse - we’re so happy you’re here! 💜 #speechandlanguagetherapy #ourteam #berrytherapy #AAC

Halloween is a fantastic time for costumes, treats, and decorations - but it’s also a great opportunity to build communication skills through AAC! Our latest blog explores how focusing on core words like "go," "stop," "help," and "want" can help AAC users participate fully in all the spooky fun. Whether carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating, or dressing up in costumes, there are endless ways to practice these essential words during Halloween activities. What are core words?  These versatile words make up 80% of daily communication and can be used across any situation. By incorporating them into Halloween, we empower AAC users to express their wants, needs, and preferences - making the holiday more inclusive and interactive. Do you want to know more about how to target these core words and keep the fun going? Read the full blog post on our website (link in the comments) and to receive our free, interactive Halloween story and gridset, please email subscriptions@berry-therapy.com with the subject line HALLOWEEN. #AACAwareness #HalloweenFun #CoreWords #CommunicationForAll #InclusiveCommunication #BerryTherapy

As AAC Awareness Month comes to a close, we at Berry Therapy are reflecting on the important conversations we’ve had around Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and its role in giving everyone a voice. Here are some key takeaways: 🌟 1. AAC is for Everyone: AAC helps individuals with communication challenges express themselves, whether through gestures, symbols, or voice output communication aids (VOCAs). It's not just about technology - it’s about making sure that communication is accessible to all, from children with developmental delays to adults with acquired communication difficulties. 🌟 2. Inclusion is Key: Effective communication is a basic human right. By supporting AAC, we promote social inclusion, independence, and participation in daily life for those with complex communication needs. 🌟 3. Collaboration is Essential: AAC implementation is a team effort. Whether it's families, educators, or healthcare professionals, working together to support individuals using AAC ensures the best outcomes. But our work doesn't stop here. ✅ Continue Raising Awareness: Share resources and experiences to help others understand AAC's importance.  ✅ Advocate for Access: Push for wider availability of AAC resources in schools, healthcare, and public spaces.  ✅ Educate and Learn: Stay informed on new AAC tools, research, and strategies to support users. Let’s keep building a world where every voice is heard, understood, and valued - long after AAC Awareness Month has ended. #AACAwarenessMonth #BerryTherapy #CommunicationForAll #Inclusion #AAC

October is AAC Awareness Month! 🎗 At Berry Therapy, we are proud to raise awareness about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), a vital lifeline for many people who cannot rely on speech alone to communicate. But what exactly is AAC, and why is it so essential? What is AAC? AAC includes a wide range of tools, techniques, and strategies designed to help individuals with communication difficulties express themselves. From simple picture cards to advanced voice output communication aids, AAC empowers people of all ages to communicate when speech is not an option. Whether someone has a developmental condition like autism or a degenerative disease like MND, AAC can significantly enhance their ability to connect with others. Types of AAC: - Unaided AAC: Communication methods that don't require external tools, like gestures, facial expressions, or sign language. - Aided AAC: Utilises external tools such as communication boards, voice output communication aids and mobile applications. AAC isn't just for people with permanent communication challenges - it can also be invaluable for those recovering from strokes or surgeries affecting speech. AAC supports a broad range of ages and conditions, from children with developmental delays to adults with progressive neurological conditions. Why AAC Matters: AAC plays a critical role in promoting independence and social inclusion for those with communication impairments. It allows individuals to: Express their needs, thoughts, and emotions clearly. Engage in social and educational activities, ensuring that they are not left behind due to communication barriers. Make choices, advocate for themselves, and actively participate in daily life. For many individuals, AAC is not just about communicating basic needs; it’s about finding their voice and being empowered to fully participate in life. 💬 How We Can Help: Implementing AAC involves a collaborative approach. Our team of speech and language therapists works closely with clients, families, and other professionals to tailor AAC systems to the individual. We ensure ongoing support and training to help individuals and their communication partners fully utilise the tools available. By understanding the power of AAC, we can make a profound difference in the lives of those with communication challenges. Want to learn more about AAC or our services? Get in touch with Berry Therapy for expert advice or fill in the enquire form on our website. #aacawareness #communicationchallenges #communicationtools #inclusion #speechandlanguagetherapist

Amazing team night out! First delicious food Mowgli Street Food, then on to Flight Club Darts for some darts and drinks.

In this blog post we debunk some common myths surrounding AAC and shed light on the truth behind these misconceptions. https://lnkd.in/ee4uNfzm

Alice delves into the significance of modelling language for AAC users. https://lnkd.in/eevT6k6u

Love getting testimonials from our staff. We're glad they feel looked after and valued because they are so amazing and important to us. To read the full testimonials head over to our website. www.berry-therapy.com We're also hiring! So if you are passionate about AAC and looking for a friendly and dynamic work environment, then we would love to hear from you.

Check out Alice's blog on understanding AAC. https://lnkd.in/e4fabvVi