Students who are not familiar with communicating their wants, needs, or thoughts need help adjusting to their augmentative communication devices. These students may be passive because they are accustomed to others communicating for them. Teachers need to identify “learned helplessness” and help students overcome the issue. Here are some tips to help students overcome “learned helplessness”:
~Build a daily expectation of communication through specific activities such as choosing the type of snack for snack time, choosing a book for independent reading, or a specific game on the iPad.
~Construct daily report sheets for parents that are communicated by the students.
~Allow natural
consequences to occur and provide avenues for repair. This includes setups that
alter the environment to provide less support or sabotage.
~Provide choice making opportunities whenever possible that requires the student to use his or her
augmentative communication system.
~Provide powerful phrases on the device for students to reject or protest something.
Reference:
Dell, A., & Newton, D. (2008). Assistive technology in the classroom:
Enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. Upper
Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
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