By: Kerri Adamic, PRC-Saltillo Blogger
Do you want your child, who is an AAC User, to enjoy the new school year? Here are some of my suggestions for you as a parent, a teacher, or a personal attendant. It’s so important for the child to have the communication device to be charged up in the mornings to take to school with them. Prepare a few new phrases in the device each week so that the child will have a variety of topics to choose by interacting with their peers and teachers in a reasonable manner. If the nonverbal child tries to spell some words out, let them do it. If the child is stuck on a word or two, you can help them with the spelling of words.
Parents and caregivers, you can help the child with homework each night, especially with spelling words. The more words the individual learns, the more confident he gets and knows that he can do it. This will encourage children who use communication devices to do better and try harder. Who knows, they might surprise everyone with how much they can understand. They might not be able to talk, but one day, with all of the practice, let them talk your ear off!
Teachers, try to include your nonverbal students in almost every activity with other students as much as possible. Children can learn from each other. It’s so important for everyone to mingle with each other. Observe them and learn from them and have fun with them.
Have a happy Back to School month.
Editorial comment:
With author’s permission, we have added links below to assist you in programing words into a device and vocabulary system.
Accent device:
- Empower- Adding a button in Empower with Unity
- NuVoice - Accent with NuVoice: Adding words, photos, and messages
NovaChat - Editing a button in Chat Software on NovaChat
iOS:
- TouchChat - TouchChat Editing Buttons
- LAMP/WFL - How to Store a Word iOS
Communicators In Action - back to school, AAC, communication