Tom McDonald

Tom McDonald

Senior AT Consultant

Our Communication Specialist, Tom, is a qualified SEND teacher specialising in using AT to support early communication. He uses Makaton to support his son with cerebral palsy.

Recent Posts

The Medium is the Message: AAC and the Power of How We Communicate

The Medium is the Message: AAC and the Power of How We Communicate

Marshall McLuhan’s famous phrase “the medium is the message” suggests that the way we communicate shapes meaning just as much as what we say. This idea is highly relevant in the field of AAC, where the tools and methods used for communication influence not only the message but also how it is received and understood by others. My background in Culture, Media, and Communication has given me a particular interest in how different forms of communication shape our interactions and perceptions. AAC

Tom McDonald
Tom McDonald
3/13/2025·4 min read
A joke is a very serious thing

A joke is a very serious thing

Winston Churchill once said, 'A joke is a very serious thing'. We need jokes in our lives and humour can be a powerful way to connect with people. Sharing a smile or a laugh can bring us closer and bridge divides. I've been assisting AAC users in expressing themselves through the Super Core 50 communication package in Grid. When teaching children to use their AAC devices, we often focus too much on academic outcomes, such as sentence structure and vocabulary. To support AAC awareness month this

Tom McDonald
Tom McDonald
10/9/2024·2 min read
Guided Access on the iPad

Guided Access on the iPad

Throughout my career in integrating technology with children's learning, the most valuable skill I have imparted to supporting adults is the use of Guided Access on the iPad. Guided Access is a built-in accessibility feature on iPhones and iPads. It allows you to temporarily limit your device to a single app and control which features are available. This feature is useful for preventing accidental gestures and locking the screen when needed, such as when letting a child use the device.  By us

Tom McDonald
Tom McDonald
7/9/2024·1 min read