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HANNIBAL, MO. -- Students and staff at the Mississippi Valley State School in Hannibal are still reeling from a break-in more than a week ago.

Only a few things were stolen including a stereo, clock, and some soda.

A couple of things were stolen though that is just too hard to get over.

This is a high tech augmentative communication device...in other words, it's a computer based device that lets non verbal students speak.

Katie Dames says, "Someone who steals this device, it would be useless. These devices are used for our non-verbal kids who would like to tell their parents or teachers that they need to go to the bathroom or that they're hungry, or something on their body hurts."

These devices are expensive, between seven and eight thousand dollars a piece, and the school lost two. One had just been bought at the end of the school year. As you can imagine, the kids that owned the devices are pretty upset.

Kris Sutter says, "Very frustrated. They become very frustrated. It's hard to figure out what they need. When we have the communication board, they can pull up the screen and say I'm feeling sick, my leg hurts or my tummy hurts. Now that they don't have that ability, they are frustrated."

The students are using more primitive communication tools, but those tools aren't as effective as the electronic devices because there are only so many cards to use.

Katie Dames says, "I'm just hoping that they still have them and they would just return them to the doorstep of the school so these kids can communicate with them."

I asked teacher Kris Sutter what she would like to say to the thieves.

Sutter says, "They are no use to you. Our kids need them. I think it's a shame to take something that our kids depend on so much. It's like taking someone's legs or taking their wheelchair."

In this case, they took these kid's voices.

The staff told us they think the devices were stolen because the burglars thought they were iPads or laptops.

Some of you have commented online about this and offered to help replace them.

CLICK HERE for more information.