About the Project
SPARKLE (Speech Program Advocating Rehabilitation Knowledge and Language Empowerment) provides communication tools to support children with speech and language difficulties. We address the limited access to affordable Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) options for Filipino families by providing structured assessments, guided trials, and communication tools they can use at home and in school.
Through SPARKLE, families, teachers, and therapy centers gain practical systems for evaluating and supporting children with complex communication needs.
Why do you care about this specific topic/issue?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices are often expensive, unfamiliar, and difficult for families to access. Many parents rely on guesswork when supporting children with communication challenges, which negatively affects daily routines and progress.
We bridge this challenge by positioning AAC as a straightforward, affordable, operational tool that families and teachers can apply reliably in daily interactions.
Why did you decide to start this project?
We saw the need for a more straightforward approach when teachers and therapists shared that some learners could benefit from AAC, yet families were unsure where to begin. The cost of devices and the absence of structured assessments contributed to delays in treatment. This prompted us to design SPARKLE as a step-by-step pathway that introduces AAC through workshops, trials, and professional evaluation.
What are your goals for this project?
Our goal is to improve AAC accessibility through a system that guides families from awareness to assessment to adoption. We are working to strengthen therapy centers by providing training, assessment tools, and progress trackers that support informed decision-making. We also seek to establish low-cost pathways to AAC adoption that work for Filipino families and the full range of education settings.
How will YSEALI Seeds help you achieve your goals?
YSEALI Seeds for the Future provides the structural support needed to run guided AAC trials, supply AAC kits, and offer premium access to Pic-A-Talk, an assistive mobile application for children with complex communication needs. The program gives us credibility when approaching therapy centers and schools, helping us form partnerships quickly. Mentorship and training also help us strengthen our assessment framework and long-term program structure.
What have you accomplished and implemented so far?
We began implementing SPARKLE with SpeakLife Therapy Center, conducting an AAC awareness workshop for 32 participants, including SPED teachers, therapists, and parents. We introduced an onboarding process for nominated students and supplied devices for guided trials.
As monitoring progressed, we learned that the process needed additional assessment steps, leading us to collaborate with SLPs and an AAC specialist to develop an AAC assessment spreadsheet and progress tracker.
Through a public call for applications, we received 17 responses and selected five additional therapy centers. Twenty-five students are now undergoing AAC assessments, with most found compatible for Pic-A-Talk use. AAC kit distribution for the first batch of seven students will take place at Bright Light Learning Academy.
What are the most significant lessons learned you’ve experienced so far?
We learned that awareness alone is not enough, and that families need structured guidance from SLPs to adopt AAC effectively. We also saw the need for reliable assessments to minimize dropout risk and ensure compatibility before trials begin. Another lesson is the importance of steady coordination with therapy centers, as timelines vary based on caseloads and staffing.
What are the success stories you can share with others?
Parents shared that their children have become calmer, easier to understand, and more responsive. Some children began calling family members by name or using words spontaneously during sessions.
At SpeakLife Therapy Center, the owner and Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) shared that SPARKLE is “much-needed,” highlighting that it opens AAC access to families who previously had no options. Her involvement helped refine our assessment process, showing how strong partnerships can strengthen program sustainability.