South Jersey fourth-grader shares powerful message through school's morning announcements

We'll grab the tissues for this one. A school morning announcement is getting a whole lot of attention and many more smiles. A South Jersey student with autism is proving you don't have to use your voice to have something important to say. Hi, my name is Anthony. Anthony Knauer's message is loud and clear. Even if I don't always talk using my mouth, trust me, I still have so much to say. Talking like a pro, the nonverbal fourth grader at Pleasant Valley School in Mullica, uses an augmentative and alternative communication or AAC device over the school's intercom. His teachers wanted to spotlight his skills using the device for AAC Awareness Month. What we did was Mrs. Washko pre-programmed his device. With the different screens as he just goes in and he would tap, you know, the first one, the second, the third. The coolest part was when we left from doing the announcement and the walk back. You know, classrooms were opening, kids were waving, people were saying hello to him. And in the days since he made his debut on the morning intercom, Anthony verbalized something to us and vocalized with it. And what he said, he said, when you see me in the hallway, say hi. And he said it verbally. Another milestone, using the device that people often think hinders language skills, but is doing quite the opposite. Peace. Like promote language, and you see that in students like Anthony, where you get those surprise, spontaneous moments of verbalization that are just so cool. Wow, I know, it's so special. His teachers say that this entire experience has helped him build his confidence. That is really, really great. They found a way to make it work and make him better. Go, Anthony! Yes!