Eddie the Elephant Has Something to Say

A Book Review and Interview with Author Alison Johns

Happy AAC awareness month! In honor of celebrating the different modes of communication that individuals can utilize, I met with inspiring author and Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) Alison Johns. Alison was moved by the challenges her clients faced with spoken communication, and she wanted to provide a meaningful way of explaining AAC to readers. Not only has Alison accomplished that in her debut picture book, Eddie the Elephant Has Something to Say, but she’s also highlighted the internal struggles those using AAC might experience and how we can always be the hero in our own stories.

What is AAC?

October is AAC awareness month. AAC is Alternative and Augmentative Communication, and it helps those who are non-speaking or have difficulty communicating with speech. AAC allows those individuals to express their needs through alternative modes of communication. AAC devices can be low tech, mid tech, and high tech—and I guarantee you have seen many forms of it all around you without even knowing it!

Some examples of AAC:

• Sign Language
• Gestures
• Facial Expressions
• Communication Board
• Alphabet Chart
• Symbol Board
• Choice Board
• Speech-generating devices
• AAC apps

Alison Johns’ Quest to Educate on AAC

Alison Johns, who’s based in Calgary, Canada, was inspired to write a picture book about AAC for readers during COVID. Not only did her idea flourish, but the support and insight of those in the AAC community also allowed Alison to create a book that accurately depicted life with AAC. With the help of her illustrator and fellow SLP, Tara Put, Alison was able to create her debut picture book. Through the struggles of her main character, Eddie the Elephant, Alison created a story that intertwines independence, courage, friendship, and inclusivity.

Alison self published Eddie the Elephant Has Something To Say and has been amazed at the reach her labor of love has accomplished. From all over Canada, to the United States, and even to Norway, Alison has been able to touch many who want to learn more about the AAC community. 

“It’s clear that it [this book] was filling a gap.” 

Alison wanted to make the story specific about AAC and its benefits while not focusing on one disability. In reality, people of all backgrounds and abilities use various types of AAC in their everyday life. Her goal of making AAC generalized was achieved in the story, especially with her use of animals as her characters. 

“By using an animal, especially an elephant who [relies on] his trunk to access the device, it leaves it open to the imagination for all different ways of how someone could access their device. He doesn’t have any certain named disability. I didn’t want to represent any particular population except those who use AAC.”

In addition to generalizing AAC, Alison wanted to make this story inviting and engaging. For those in the special needs community, social stories are common in social and emotional education. Social stories are intentional and often read factually. Alison did not want her book to read like a social story. She studied literary techniques to make sure her story elements were meaningful and detailed. 

“I think that when I was looking at characters that used AAC, they read like a social story,” Alison said. “There weren’t stories of a character just living their life using an AAC device.”

For me, the most important element of the story was that Eddie was his own hero. Alison felt strongly that her main character accomplish his goals on his own. Often in stories with characters experiencing a challenge, supporting characters/mentors help them overcome the difficulty. Alison did not feel right having another character create AAC for Eddie.  

“I had some drafts and people helping give me feedback,” she said, “One piece of advice I got was that the main characters are so much stronger when they can solve their own problems.”

As a mother to an autistic child, this message was one that moved me in so many ways. When people have a disability, therapies and interventions occur daily. I see my son needing the help of others for everyday life. But Alison did not focus on that. She focused on how even though life is different for those with a disability, it does not discount their strength. They are still the heroes in their own story—and heroes for the people around them.  

Alison wanted to make sure that she was consistently authentic in her representation of the AAC Community. As someone who does not use AAC, Alison was able to connect with renowned AAC Advocate Chelsea Hagen. Chelsea assisted Alison in ensuring that she was representing the AAC Community in the most genuine way possible. 

Becoming a published author was always a dream for Alison. That dream has now opened up new doors and ideas for her. She now knows the process behind self publishing and could possibly help others in that journey. 

“I feel like it will be better for AAC users to write more books about themselves and for themselves.”

Alison is helping change the world in understanding AAC while lifting up a community she loves so much. Support Alison by purchasing her debut picture book, Eddie the Elephant Has Something To Say. Educate yourself, family, and friends on the benefits of AAC and how to be inclusive of this growing community. 

Alison and I are partnering for a giveaway of three copies of her book on Instagram in honor of AAC Awareness Month! When you see the post on Wednesday October 11th, be sure to enter for your chance to win!