Mom can’t hold back tears after her level 3 autistic son’s communication device goes missing at school after 8 months of hard work

For most families, a missing tablet would be frustrating. For Jayda Raylyn Oliva, this one meant much more. The device was one of the main ways her nonverbal son could communicate, and months of work had gone into making it his own.

Oliva (@raylynjaydaoliva) became emotional as she explained that her son’s AAC device had disappeared at school. She believed it may have been stolen and said she had already searched the school without finding it. After more than eight months spent customizing the device, losing it meant potentially losing a tool her son relied on every day.

In a TikTok video that has received 1.5 million views, Oliva explained that her son has level 3 autism and described the tablet as his way of communicating. For nonverbal children, finding a communication method that works can take time, which made the disappearance especially difficult for Oliva. “We’ve worked so hard,” she said.

Then people started stepping in

Oliva explained that the AAC device had been obtained through her son’s doctor and was insured for him. She stressed that it was not simply a regular tablet they could easily replace and start using again.

“I literally went in the school. I’ve looked everywhere for it,” she recalled. With the search getting her nowhere, Oliva turned to TikTok while trying to figure out what to do next.

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Viewers quickly rallied around the family. Several offered AAC devices they were no longer using, while parents shared their own experiences with communication and medical devices going missing at school.

“My son has AAC tablet that we do not use. Nothing is wrong with it. I can mail it to you,” one person offered.

Another commenter understood how much work could be tied to the device. “I know HOW MUCH TIME it takes to customize an AAC device. Hold onto hope; see if it is insured,” they wrote.

Another offered practical help, asking, “Was anybody actively backing up his vocabulary?” They added, “There are often options to print out vocabulary, to give him a low-tech option for now.”

One parent shared their own experience, writing, “Less than 3 months after my son got his cochlear activated, his processor (its detachable) went ‘missing’ from school.” They added that it later turned up in the front office and urged Oliva, “Don’t let that school off the hook!!!!”

A special education teacher also commented, “The school is 100% responsible for providing any devices necessary for your child, especially if it’s specified in his IEP.”

The response also showed how quickly other parents understood Oliva’s concern. Autism can affect communication and how someone interacts with the world, with support needs varying from person to person. Families often have to make sure their child’s needs are understood, making the loss of something as important as a communication device especially difficult.

Fortunately, Oliva soon returned with the update she had been hoping for. The AAC device had been found. She explained that another parent had apologized to her and said they would look for the device. Oliva did not provide enough details to establish exactly how the device disappeared or whether someone intentionally took it, but she confirmed that it was finally back with her son.

“This is my son’s voice,” Oliva said while holding the tablet. She became emotional as she explained what getting the device back meant for her son. “That just means more than you guys will ever know,” she added.

Oliva now plans to add more protection to the device. She wants to install a tracking app and is also considering placing a physical tracker somewhere inside its protective case. For Oliva, however, getting the tablet back came down to something much simpler. “I got my son’s voice back,” she said.

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