Chapter 12 in our textbook deals with Integrating
Augmentative Communication in the Classroom, Home, and Community. Just my prior
postings on Augmentative Communication and IEP’s, this chapter will explore how
the devices will be used in the classroom, home and community. Below are
questions that were asked in the chapters along with my answers. Answers were a
mix between the book and research done on the side.
Strategies teachers can use to
overcome “learned helplessness”
Learned helplessness is a characteristic that
some students in your classroom might exhibit. As a teacher or educator it is
important to know the characteristics and strategies that we can use to help
eliminate this behavior. For this topic
I researched this topic by using our textbook, Assistive
Technology In the Classroom
by Dell, Newton, and Petroff, and by using the internet. Both provided much
needed information. According to our book some strategies that teachers and educators
can use are:
- Communicate to
the class/students what your expectations are as a teacher. Have student’s
participate in activities that will increase what you are looking for as a
teacher.
- Communicate
with the parents daily via a communication folder or report. This is something
the student can bring home every night.
- Deliver powerful phrases on the device for students to refuse or protest
something
On the internet
I came across some articles that provided insight on the topic and how to deal
with learned helplessness in the classroom. These
particular articles would be very useful for an individual that is reading my
blog and not familiar with the topic.
For my future classroom I can definitely see learned
helplessness as a behavior that is going to affect some of my students. Using
the information that I learned and applying what I already know I feel
confident in the way I’m going to deal with this. I hope you have learned as
much as I have!
Ways augmentative communication can
be integrated into the IEP
Augmentative communication is an element that
can be integrated into IEP’s based on the needs of the student.
Augmentative communication is an element that
can be integrated into IEP’s based on the needs of the student. Before augmentative
communication is integrated into an IEP, the IEP must determine the needs of
the student based on a variety of questions. This was a topic that we looked at
a few weeks ago, the posting can be found on my blog in the month of July.
According to our book, augmentative communication can be integrated into the
IEP by the following:
- IEP team must be specific on the components
of the augmentative communication device that will be use. The IEP team will
also have to use specific language in the IEP detailing how and when the device
will be used.
- It is important that augmentative communication
devices will have to be considered for all non-speaking students
- In the IEP, the IEP team will have to
incorporate goals of the augmentative communication device. In addition, the
team will have to have a way for the goals to be met
- The IEP team will have to determine who will
train the students and adults who will be helping the student with the
augmentative communication device.
- The IEP team will also have to consider where
the augmentative communication device will be used. Will it be used at school
as well at home? If it is at home, how will training take place?
The above factors are essential in planning
the integration of augmentative communication into an IEP. As listed you can
see that augmentative communication is an important element that can be
incorporated into an IEP, but keep in mind that special planning is needed to
carry out this integration.
Important uses of augmentative
communication systems at home and in the community
As in my prior
post we looked at the important of augmentative communication devices in the
IEP. Part of the process of the IEP is determining where the augmentative
communication device will be used- school, home, and community. This post will
look at the direct important uses of augmentative communication systems at home
and in the community by using the following:
- For proper use
of an augmentative communication systems at home and in the community there
must be communication between each. augmentative communication devices in the
home and community can differ from school.
- When the IEP
team is planning to incorporate the augmentative communication device, family
members of the student must be involved. They will learn the device and how it
should be used.
- When using the
augmentative communication device within the home and in the community, the
skills that were learned in school should be reinforced
- If there are
issues with using the augmentative communication device at home or in the
community, the IEP team should be addressed. There must be a sense of comfort
when using the devices outside of school.
Ways in which a student’s
augmentative communication system is designed to meet the communication demands
of home and the community
Important uses
of augmentative communication systems at home and in the community
Ways in which a student’s augmentative
communication system is designed to meet the communication demands of home and
the community
As in the prior posts we looked at the
importance of using the augmentative communication system within the home base
and also in the community. Ways in which a student can incorporate this into
those environments is?
For the home structure, the IEP team should: consider the
family and their background, help the family learn and implement the augmentative communication system in daily life, help the family
learn the importance of the device, and build confidence within the family.
For the community structure: the trainer should train the teacher and the student how to use the device out of the classroom. The trainer should also train family members who will be in the community with the student who has the AC device.
References:
Dell, A. G.,
Newton, D., & Petroff, J. (2011). Assistive technology in the classroom,
enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. Allyn &
Bacon.
