Motor Mouth Camp Expands to Second Location for 15th Anniversary Milestone
A Western Australian initiative dedicated to assisting children with complex communication needs is marking a significant milestone this year, as it celebrates 15 years of operation. The Motor Mouth Camp, delivered by Variety – the Children’s Charity WA, has grown in demand so substantially that it will now host an additional camp in April alongside its traditional October session.
This inclusive three-day camp brings together children who utilize augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and other supports, along with their families and specialist volunteers. Since its inception, nearly 200 WA children and their families have participated, with more than 350 volunteers contributing over 8500 hours to facilitate the program.
Personal Stories of Transformation
Children like Zhiqing from Bentley and Keeley Lannon from Willagee have experienced profound benefits from attending the camp. Zhiqing, who uses an AAC device to express her thoughts, needs, and feelings, had previously left her mother Lizzy uncertain about her communications at home. Volunteers at the camp modeled communication using AAC devices during everyday activities, enabling Zhiqing to engage in new ways and giving Lizzy the confidence to continue using the device daily.
Lizzy shared a poignant moment, stating, “It gave us confidence to keep using it every day.” She highlighted the joy of hearing Zhiqing laugh loudly again, something she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Similarly, Keeley, who cannot always rely on speech and uses alternative communication methods, often left her mother Lee-Ann trying to interpret her needs. At the camp, Keeley began forming stronger sentences and expressing herself more clearly. Lee-Ann described this as a powerful shift, noting, “Before, I didn’t really see it as a second language. But now I understand — it’s Keeley’s first language, and we’re the ones learning it.”
Founder’s Vision and Community Impact
Motor Mouth Camp founder, coordinator, and speech pathologist Kelly Savage explained that the camp was created to provide children who use AAC devices and their families with opportunities to connect with others facing similar challenges. “As children grow, they learn to communicate in new situations and with new people — parents, siblings, teachers, friends or even someone they meet at the park or the shops,” Ms Savage said.
She emphasized the importance of skilled communication partners, adding, “That’s why Motor Mouth Camp focuses not only on the children, but also on parents and siblings — giving families the tools and confidence to support communication every day.”
Variety WA CEO Chris Chatterton underscored the program’s alignment with the charity’s mission to ensure every child can participate fully in life. “Communication is fundamental to every child’s independence and ability to connect with the world around them,” he said. “What makes this program so special is that it supports not only the child, but the entire family, creating a community where everyone learns, grows and feels understood.”
The expansion to a second camp this April reflects the growing need for such supportive environments, promising to extend these transformative experiences to even more families across Western Australia.
