Beyond Requesting: I Have More to Say

Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Time: 9:00am – 3:30pm
Presenter: Holly Schneider, MA, CCC-SLP
Location:
Collaborative Training Center
Midlands Center
8301 Farrow Road
Columbia, SC 29203
ASHA CEUs: Yes
Cost: FREE

Description: Where do you start when you introduce Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to someone? If you are like most people, you start with requesting a fun or motivating activity such as “I want a book” or “I want music” or “I want a cookie.” Why? Because it is easy to show the purpose of communication when the result is as obvious as reading a book, turning on music, or eating a cookie. Plus, we hope the requested items or activities will help individuals to be excited about communication!

But, what happens next? What happens when we run out of things to have individuals request? What happens when they seem “bored” by requesting? What happens after they request? What happens when the situation doesn’t allow for requesting? Maybe these situations sound familiar…

Susan has easily been choosing between going outside and listening to music for a month but now she won’t select either of the symbols. Unfortunately, you don’t know of any other items or activities that are motivating for her. Maybe AAC just doesn’t work for Susan.

Robert likes to say “I want a book” with his communication device but his mother noticed that he doesn’t say anything else when she reads the book… unlike his younger brother who asks “What’s that” or says “Let me turn the page.”

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