The Dudes Abide So who are the Dudes?

Russell Cross is a speech therapist from the UK and works with the Prentke Romich Company whom he has been with since 1995. He is the owner of a number of US patents and his research interests are in corpus linguistics, machine syntax and assistive technology. Chip Clarke is a speech therapist who has been in the assistive technology arena since 1989. Chip started a private practice called Asistive Technology Works, Inc which has now evolved into an AAC equipment distributor. Chip also consults with Prentke Romich. The Speech Dudes website introduces them as Dude 1 and Dude 2 with a tag line that reads "The Edgy Side of Speech Pathology; sharp, profane, but never dull." Reminiscent of Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Dr. Seuss, these two guys like to have fun. I had a great time talking to them. Their blog, Speechdudes.wordspress.com, has been featured in the ASHA Leader magazine. The dudes describe the blog as a stream of consciousness. Here is some of what we cover: * How to fund AAC devices * Who needs to be in on an AAC eval? OT and Speech, Speech only? * Are the report requirements different for private practices versus a hospital or other facility * Eye gaze technology and AAC communication - What's coming * Difference between communication Apps and something more professional like Prenke Romich * Dude Notes - Recommendations by the Speech Dudes