Communication Support Strategy Reference Guide by Mellott, Chelsea

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

chelseamellott — 2023-11-06 19:45:23 UTC

Picture Exchange Communication System allows students with ASD to exchange pictures for goods, services, and activities in their immediate environment. Suitable for non-verbal or minimally verbal students.

Low-Tech

Implementation: Begin with teaching the student to exchange a picture for an item they want. Gradually, the system builds up to sentences and responds to questions.
Evaluation: Monitor the student's ability to initiate communication and respond to prompts. Progress is often marked by the increasing complexity of exchanges.

Sign Language

chelseamellott — 2023-11-06 20:27:01 UTC

Sign language enhances communication for verbal and non-verbal students by providing a physical way to express needs and feelings. Ideal for students with coordination or motor planning challenges.

Low Tech

Implementation: Introduce signs for key vocabulary and model these signs consistently. Encourage the student to use signs to communicate.
Evaluation: Assess the student's growing vocabulary and ability to use signs to interact with others.

Social Stories

chelseamellott — 2023-11-06 20:30:31 UTC

Social stories help students understand social norms and behaviors by describing a situation with relevant social cues. Good for teaching expected behaviors in different settings.

Low-Tech
Implementation: Create personalized stories that depict a situation the student finds challenging, reading them regularly.
Evaluation: Observe the student's behavior in the social scenarios covered by the stories to measure impact.

Visual Schedules

chelseamellott — 2023-11-06 20:33:01 UTC

Visual schedules depict the sequence of daily activities. They support students who benefit from a structured routine and struggle with transitions or unpredictability.

Low-Tech
Implementation: Use pictures or symbols to represent each part of the student's day, reviewing the schedule regularly with the student.
Evaluation: Look for reductions in transition-related stress and improvements in the ability to move between activities independently.

Speech-Generating Device (SGD)

chelseamellott — 2023-11-06 20:34:10 UTC

SGDs empower students to articulate thoughts, needs, and desires when they cannot do so verbally. Appropriate for students who have clear ideas but struggle with speech production.

High-Tech
Implementation: Personalize the device with vocabulary and phrases relevant to the student, teaching them how to navigate and use it.
Evaluation: Track the frequency and appropriateness of initiated communication in various settings.

GoTalk

chelseamellott — 2023-11-06 20:44:56 UTC

GoTalk devices are portable, simple to program, and have multiple message levels for flexible communication. Suitable for beginners to AAC.

High-Tech
Implementation: Record messages into the GoTalk for common requests, comments, and responses. Teach the student to select messages.
Evaluation: Observe increases in independent communication and the variety of situations in which the device is used effectively.

Proloquo2Go

chelseamellott — 2023-11-06 20:51:03 UTC

Proloquo2Go is an app-based AAC solution that turns iPads and iPhones into communication boards. It has customizable features for varied verbal abilities.

High-Tech
Implementation: Customize the grid layout with symbols that the student understands, progressively adding more as they learn.
Evaluation: Monitor the user’s ability to make requests, comment, and answer questions using the app.

DynaVox

chelseamellott — 2023-11-06 20:52:59 UTC

DynaVox offers diverse AAC devices with robust language systems for individuals with complex communication needs.

High-Tech
Implementation: Work with a speech-language pathologist to select and customize a device's language content for the student's needs.
Evaluation: Measure the breadth and depth of communication the student achieves using the device.

LAMP Words for Life

chelseamellott — 2023-11-06 20:54:20 UTC

LAMP focuses on providing a full language system that maintains consistent motor plans for words. Best for students with motor learning difficulties.

High-Tech

Implementation: Introduce common words and phrases in consistent locations on the device, supporting motor learning.
Evaluation: Assess the student's ability to express a wider range of concepts and participate in more complex conversations.

BigMack Communicator

chelseamellott — 2023-11-06 20:57:58 UTC

A BigMack Communicator is a one-message communication device for making a single request or comment known to the student's routine, great for those learning cause and effect.

Low-Tech
Implementation: Record a relevant message or sound and teach the student to press the button to communicate a specific message.
Evaluation: Monitor the situations in which the student uses the BigMack to communicate and any increase in the frequency of communication.

References

chelseamellott — 2023-11-06 21:37:08 UTC

Cutler, D., & Wooten-LaFranier, L. (2023). Assistive technology (AT). Arizona Department of Education. https://www.azed.gov/specialeducation/at

Ganz, J. B., & Simpson, R. L. (2018). Interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and complex communication needs (AAC). Brookes Publishing. ISBN-13: 9781681252292

Vogindroukas, I., Stankova, M., Chelas, E.-N., & Proedrou, A. (2022). Language and Speech Characteristics in Autism. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 18, 2367+. https://link-gale-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/A727013932/HRCA?u=canyonuniv&sid=bookmark-HRCA&xid=8ab71288