There are some things in life I will pile on. Guac on my chips. Ice cream on my cone. Grated parmesan on any pasta, yes please. Pile. That. On. High!
But I’m often leary about piling on in the context of fights. If someone’s done something problematic and they’ve already been called out by lots of people, is my voice really going to add much? And wouldn’t it be easier to just eat my guac on the sidelines and yell, “Yeah!” instead?
But there’s a fight brewing on social media right now, and I feel the need to chime in. I do this with the hope that the people involved can stay respectful and, hopefully, help a company learn to change its ways.
Are you familiar with app Speech Blubs? From the app store description, it claims to help children “boost their speech” and “stimulate sound production.” Note: those are not scare quotes. I’m just trying to keep the description neutral by quoting their words, since I’ve never used the app. It might be great. No problem with a company creating an app to help improve speech. Maybe I’ll try it one day.
Here’s the problem: Speech Blubs’ Instagram ads, as seen below.
I’ve thought about ways to make this analysis light-hearted and funny, since that’s what I usually go for on my blog. Maybe a Where’s Waldo type game? Okay, where’s…the big red “NO” sign?
Oh, it’s on the chest of a non-verbal child. Like a Superman logo, except literally negative instead of super.
Hmmm. Let’s start there.
What exactly are they saying “no” to? No to non-verbal children? Well, that’s kind of a problem because…those children exist. My daughter is one of them, at least as the word “non-verbal” is commonly used. (Quick aside: that term is a little misleading in my opinion. Non-verbal individuals often communicate using words—signing them, using a book with pictures, using a device that speaks out loud for them, writing them—they just don’t speak them out loud with their own vocal cords. But more on that later.)
So is my non-verbal child just a big “NO”? And, wow, she’s also all alone on the playground? And she’s crying and miserable? Yikes….hurtful…
Oh but <PHEW> it gets better! Once Lina speaks her first words (presumably after paying $9.99 a month for Speech Blubs), she becomes surrounded by friends! She gets to hold a microphone! She’s smiling and happy! (I’ll leave aside the fact that the child in the picture also appears to be a giant.)
Non-verbal = nope, sad, lonely.
Verbal = yes, happy, popular.
At least, that’s what they want you to think…so that you buy their app in a panic.
Look, being non-verbal has its challenges for Lina. There are definitely times we’ve struggled to communicate, and it can lead to frustration and tears. She’s worked very hard in speech therapy, and Ryan and I have also worked to understand her and learn effective ways to communicate. In a way, we’ve all learned second and third languages.
We’re open to an AAC device when she’s ready. We’re also open to her speaking out loud – but it is not and should not be a requirement for her happiness.”
To go back to what I mentioned earlier (and have discussed before)…Lina may be non-verbal, but she uses words. Lots of them. She signs. She has a PECS book she uses to put together simple sentences. She can make the “p” sound for “up” and “help,” and the “mmm” sound for “movie.” We’re open to an AAC device when she’s ready. We’re also open to her speaking out loud – but it is not and should not be a requirement for her happiness.
Heck, the other day, she informed me–using entirely non-verbal communication–that she would like her grapes halved, not quartered, she would like them rolled off the cutting board onto her plate from a height of about 8 inches, and she would like to select each individual, identical grape herself. (No not that grape. Not that grape. THAT grape.)
I’ll admit the next night I was baffled for a minute about a different request involving grapes. “Okay you don’t want to eat it. You don’t want me to cut it. What, exactly, are you asking for, Lina? Ohhhhhh, you want to pick up the grape and throw it at your brother! Got it, got it. Okay no more grapes.”
There are other ways to communicate, to make friends, to be happy without using your vocal cords.”
Anyway, all of that is a bit of a tangent. The real point I’m trying to make is OUCH. Lina is not destined for a sad and lonely life of NO. Nor would learning to talk automatically make her the most popular kid on the playground. And Speech Blubs, which claims to be an expert in children’s speech, knows this. They know there are other ways to communicate, to make friends, to be happy without using your vocal cords. But that understanding won’t sell their app.
So here’s the part that really bothers me: Speech Blubs’ Instagram ads are preying on a parent’s fears to sell a product. They are targeting parents who are often anxious and vulnerable already. Worse, they are INCREASING and PERPETUATING those fears. They are telling parents that their non-verbal children is a big NOPE and has a bad quality of life. They are telling parents that achieving those “first words” will make life all rainbows and sunshine.
To make a dramatic understatement, there’s a lot that goes into a child’s happiness. Speech can be one part of it. It’s certainly not everything. And to paint a doom-and-gloom picture to convince a parent to sign up for a monthly subscription is just…
Ick.
As far as I know, Speech Blubs is still running these ads. Update #1: Speech Blubs says that it will stop using this ad and has apologized. Update #2: Speech Blubs has deleted its previous apology and is now running equally offensive ads, which you can read more about here in Part 2, Speech Blubs review. Prior to their apology, I saw a screen shot of messages from Speech Blubs responding to a complaint about the ad, and it was not exactly remorseful (they suggest the parent try the app…which is kind of just doubling-down). My understanding is they used this ad for months, regardless of many prior complaints. The company made a choice to use this ad, and the fact that they didn’t see a problem until enough complaints rolled in says a lot.
Like I said, I’m cautious about piling on, but I’m also going to take issue with anyone who portrays my daughter in such a negative light. So, Speech Blubs, please listen. My daughter is not a sad sack with a “no” sign on her chest.
And just to end this whole shebang on a lighter note, here’s my final thoughts on non-verbal communication:
P.S. Follow along on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook for more humor and commiseration.
Appreciate this post? Subscribe below to be notified when new posts appear!
2 Comments
The people who put these things together have so much to answer for. You are absolutely right about who they prey on, parents with fears already. It’s terrible. My son never really spoke until he was 4. Bits and bats before that but attempts at single words that weren’t widely understood. People wanted me to get his ears tested and take him to the doctor etc etc but he was also perfectly happy, just quiet. His speech came properly just before his 5th birthday and it turns out he just wasn’t ready. The peer pressure from these ads is appalling and someone needs to take it on the chin for them.
Exactly, the pressure they’re putting on parents and kids is terrible – to make money, no less! Thanks for sharing your experience!