Speech pathologist creates core board to communicate
It all came together quickly for Kristin Messenger.
The Morgantown speech pathologist, who works with autistic children and children who have difficulty communicating, first saw the communication board – which displays photos and symbols for people with limited language skills – on social media.
At the same time, October is Augmentative and Alternative Education month, said Kristin, adding she was researching ways to help some of her patients. That was when she found the Playground Core Board.
“I thought it was a great idea,” Kristin said during a recent interview at Tugboat Depot playground in Star City, where she installed her first board this month.
So what is a core board? It is a standalone board with 40 different squares, akin to the electronic device used by people with speech difficulties.
The brightly colored board at Tugboat Depot – installed by Kristin’s father Reg – overlooks the playground and is readily accessible to children. The photos and symbols on the board include thank-you, please, yes, thirsty, like, look, see, help, and even hula-hoop to name a few.
“It mimics the digital device,” said Kristin, adding that she hopes the board will help children and families feel a sense of inclusion at the playground. Plus she wants the board to be a tool that shows children that people have different ways of communicating.
Kristin said she floated the idea of the board through social media and within hours she was able to raise enough money – $350 – for the board. Sponsors included Pizazz Dance Academy, Hardwood Interiors, Messenger Speech Therapy LLC, Davis Insurance Group, Northwestern Mutual and Playworks.
Since installing Playground Core Board at the Star City playground, Kristin said she has had nothing but positive feedback. She has heard from people in a number of different towns across the country, and even as far away as Washington state.
For Jill Weir, the mother of two-year-old Palmer, the Playground Core Board, is a great tool to have.
“It’s a way to get more kids involved,” she said.
Kristin said she has heard from local businesses who want to help her place more boards at Morgantown area playgrounds including her own neighborhood of South Park.
“Differences should be talked about,” she said. “Children need to know it is okay to be different.”
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