Speech, language, & communication

THE BASSC AUTISM PROGRAM

AT FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY, GRANT AND HIGH mOUNT SCHOOL



WELCOME to the speech room

Hello!

Welcome to the speech room! Thank you for stopping by! This website was created for our families and students of the BASSC Autism Program at Franklin Elementary School. Here you will find information on our program, what we do, our core word of the week, printable communication boards, parent resources and more. Please continue to check back weekly for our Core Word of the Week weekly updates. More content and resources added to the website over time. If you find anything particularly helpful or are seeking additional information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support, educate, and collaborate with families so we can help the students reach their maximum potential.

Sincerely,


The Speech-Language-Pathology Team

BASSC Autism Program

core WORD OF THE WEEK

Our core word of the week this week is we.

What we do

SPEECH, LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION

We use a multi-modal communication approach in our program. That means we accept any and all forms of communication for our students including using verbal skills, word approximations, visuals aids or pictures, communication boards or devices, gestures, signs, body language, and more. It is ALL communication! In our therapeutic approach, we continue to expand on our students skills to continue their success and develop their language, communication, social skills, and speech skills. This is consistent with evidence-based practice and the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Asscoation's (ASHA) best practice.

AUGMENTATIVE ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION

Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) includes all forms of communication other than verbal speech. We all use AAC each day when we send a text message or email. AAC for our students may be using pictures, gestures, a communication board or device and/or signs, and more. A common misconception is that AAC will keep a student from speaking verbally, however, research shows that AAC promotes verbal development. The abilities and unique needs of the student and family are considered when evaluating, selecting, and customizing each AAC system. AAC is ever-changing to grow with the student... just like our vocabulary and language is always growing!

TRAINING & SUPPORT

Our team approach that includes each family, the student, teachers, the other therapists and staff members that work with the student. Collaboration is key when setting our students up for success. Through ongoing communication and collaboration, we design a therapy plan to help your student achieve maximal success and continue to grow in their skills. We are available to provide parents with training and support. This can range from discussing intervention strategies with parents so they can use them at home to training on how to use your student's AAC device or communication board. We are here to support you and your child in speech, language, and communication.