Zhiqing found her voice at Motor Mouth Camp - and her family found their confidence.
Zhiqing is a joyful, curious young girl developing her communication using an AAC device. Motor Mouth Camp opened up new ways for her to connect, and equipped her mum, Lizzy, with the tools to keep that connection growing at home.
A voice that was always there.
Zhiqing loves being part of the action. She is curious, joyful, and always ready to try something new. She is also nonspeaking, and uses an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to share her thoughts, needs and feelings.
At home, communication was still evolving. For her mum, Lizzy, there were often moments of uncertainty - not always knowing what Zhiqing wanted to share, or how she was feeling in the moment.
The Impact of Motor Mouth Camp
Across three days and two nights, Zhiqing and her family joined other AAC users, siblings, carers and therapists at Motor Mouth Camp. Communication was modelled in real-life moments - at mealtimes, on the activity field and in the quiet moments in between. It opened up new ways for Zhiqing to engage, and gave Lizzy a front-row seat to see what is possible when AAC is woven through every part of the day.
“It gave us the confidence to keep using it every day.”
- Lizzy, Zhiqing's mum
But beyond the learning was something Lizzy hadn't experienced in a long time: pure joy.
“She had been laughing so loud - I hadn't heard her laugh that loudly in so long.”
- Lizzy, Zhiqing's mum
Zhiqing's favourite moment was the flying fox - soaring through the air, grinning all the way. It's the kind of experience that is rarely accessible outside of a camp like this one, and it's exactly why Motor Mouth Camp exists.
Why this matters
For Zhiqing and her family, Motor Mouth Camp is about more than communication. It's about confidence, connection, and the chance to be fully part of the world around them.
What is Motor Mouth Camp?
Motor Mouth Camp is a Variety WA program for children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). It brings families, children and therapists together for three days of immersive communication support, connection and meaningful moments together.
Who is Motor Mouth Camp for?
The camp is for children who use AAC to communicate, and their families. It is designed so that parents, carers and siblings leave with the confidence and strategies to keep using AAC every day at home.
Together we can empower every child to dream, achieve and thrive!
Every child deserves the chance to explore, grow, and dream without limits. Their potential shouldn’t be defined by disability, illness, or financial hardship. We work to remove those barriers and open the doors to new possibilities.
