When K-12 students use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC),
what can SLPs and educators do to ensure the best academic and social
outcomes? They'll find out in this accessible guidebook--every
professional's key to helping students develop the language and literacy
skills that lead to higher academic achievement and positive peer
relationships.
A must-have guide for educators and SLPs who provide communication
support, this book answers pressing questions about working with
students who use AAC and helps teachers skillfully meet student needs
while satisfying the demands of their curriculum. Pre-service and
in-service educators and the SLPs who work with them will learn to
- collaborate effectively to improve outcomes for students who use AAC
- determine student needs through effective, ongoing reading, writing,
and language assessments
- develop IEPs based on each child's language, communication, and
literacy goals
- help students move beyond emergent literacy and develop the skills
research identifies as the keys to reading success
- meet IDEA requirements by adapting the general curriculum so all
students participate and achieve
- support students' successful use of various AAC technologies, such as
communication boards, word prediction software, and speech generating
devices
- supplement classroom instruction with visual and oral scaffolding
supports for students with AAC needs
- promote positive social relationships and friendships between students
who use AAC and their peers
To provide students who use AAC with the best support, readers will get
clear descriptions of instructional techniques, guidelines for
curriculum adaptations, and practical tools and visual aids such as
model intervention plans, task analysis forms, and charts of sample
accommodations.
Balancing practical strategies with up-to-date research, this book
unlocks language and literacy skills for children who use AAC and lays
the groundwork for long-term school and social success.
Practically Speaking is part of the Augmentative and Alternative
Communication Series.
