Speech or Language Impairment

I chose to include the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) website in my resource collection. Many students with speech or language impairments use adaptive communication methods to assist their communication in the classroom. "Adaptive communication methods are referred to as alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) techniques. AAC symbols and techniques fall into two braod categories: aided and unaided. Aided communication involves the use of some external device . . . unaided communication does not involve any apparatus other than the individual's own body." (Mastropieri & Scruggs, 2018) Some educators or parents may be unsure of all of the different types of adaptive communication methods that are included under the large umbrella of aided and unaided techniques. The ASHA provides a link to a page explaining arguementative and alternative communication. There is an abundance of facts and general information that can help paint a great picture of what adaptive communication is and how it can help students. For example the site states,

"AAC is augmentative when used to supplement existing speech, alternative when used in place of speech that is absent or not functional, or temporary as when used by patients postoperatively in intensive care." . . . In addition to AAC, other support systems exist for individuals with differences in expressive or receptive communication. These include additional augmentative supports and hearing AT systems. These devices are considered AT but do not fall under AAC, because they do not require skilled SLP intervention prior to use." (ASHA) I would use this information to further my knowledge on communication methods and everything that it involves.

The ASHA website also includes advocacy information on school issues such as the Every Student Succeeds Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Performance Assessment of Contributions and Effectiveness, and School Choice Programs. The site goes through what each is and specific information to look out for. They also provided additional links to more information on each issue. I think this information would be helpful to use for research to create my own information guide for parents of a student with speech or language impairments. 

Resources

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Asha. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Retrieved November 27, 2022, from https://www.asha.org/

Mastropieri, M. A., & Scruggs, T. E. (2018). The inclusive classroom: Strategies for effective differentiated instruction (6th ed.). Pearson.