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Many possible ways to support understanding and to communicate
Many possible ways to support understanding and to communicate
"Being able to communicate your thoughts, feelings, and ideas is absolutely critical to being successful in school and the workplace. Being able to understand other people's communication attempts is equally essential" (Dell, 2017, p. 109).
For our young students who may have speech delays or disabilities, it is important that we seek to provide effective ways for them to learn vocabulary and communicate.
Terminology related to supporting speech communication
Terminology related to supporting speech communication
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) considers all the ways we share our thoughts, ideas, needs and feelings without talking - such as through physical gestures, picture pointing or high tech speech output communication devices. AAC technology can be used to support communication needs students with speech delays or disabilities.
Aided Language Stimulation (ALS)
Aided Language Stimulation (ALS)
Aided Language Stimulation (ALS) is a communication strategy that utilizes a communication partner (could be a parent, teacher or special paraprofessional) to teach symbol meaning and models language. Some examples of communication boards or charts that can be used are shown below.
PECS Communication Book (LOW TECH)
PECS Communication Book (LOW TECH)
COMMUNICATION AND VOCABULARY
COMMUNICATION AND VOCABULARY
Using pictures with a communication partner, the PECS system provides a low tech way for young children with speech delays or disabilities to communicate wants and needs. The system is comprised of 6 phases, as a child develops vocabulary and language, to put pictures together to form sentences, answer questions and respond to conversations.
RESOURCE: PECS Communication Book
Feelings Communication chart (LOW TECH)
Feelings Communication chart (LOW TECH)
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL COMMUNICATION
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL COMMUNICATION
As young children learn about their own (and others) feelings, teachers can create communication charts using symbols that represents feelings (such as sad, happy and mad). The chart on the left uses color and symbol representations of the feelings that match the book "Glad Monster, Sad Monster" by Ed Emberley and Anne Miranda. Making the chart easily accessible at eye level allows all children (including those with speech disabilities or form of mutism) to identify and communicate their own and others’ emotions through pointing or placing their name next to the feeling.
RESOURCE: Glad Monster, Sad Monster (book)
Widget (LOW to HIGH TECH)
Widget (LOW to HIGH TECH)
COMMUNICATION AND VOCABULARY
COMMUNICATION AND VOCABULARY
Widgit is a website with software and web tools and apps that help children with speech disabilities to communicate and develop vocabulary through the use of symbols. You can design and print personalized symbols to make a chart or documents (low tech), or download an app to a smart device like an iPad (high tech). Can be used to create large communication charts, for whole group settings, or individual and personalized communication books for a student.
RESOURCE: Widgit
GoTalk 9+ (MID TECH)
GoTalk 9+ (MID TECH)
COMMUNICATION AND VOCABULARY
COMMUNICATION AND VOCABULARY
This speech output device can be used to support children with speech impairments or selective mutism by providing a way for them to communicate words through sound. It stores and reads up to 45 messages, and includes programmable buttons to personalize pictures and voice recordings.
See how it works by clicking on the video!
RESOURCE: GoTalk9+
ProxTalker AAC device (MID TECH)
ProxTalker AAC device (MID TECH)
COMMUNICATION AND VOCABULARY
COMMUNICATION AND VOCABULARY
This speech communication device allows for verbal picture communication by placing a symbol or photo on a "sound tag card". Easy symbol cards for young children with speech impairments or selective mutism to manipulate and make sentences.
See how it works by clicking on the video!
RESOURCE: LoganTech ProxTalker
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Dell, A. (2017). Assistive Technology in the Classroom (What's New in Special Education), Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.
NHS Education for Scotland (NES), https://www.aacscotland.org.uk/modules
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