190 likes | 235 Views
Clarification Strategies. Augmentative Communication Services – KidsAbility. Overview of Workshops. Two sessions: Conversation books, Topic boards + more – Information session Make and Take session. Clarification Strategies. Clarification Strategies can:
E N D
Clarification Strategies Augmentative Communication Services – KidsAbility
Overview of Workshops • Two sessions: • Conversation books, Topic boards + more – Information session • Make and Take session
Clarification Strategies • Clarification Strategies can: • Increase successful communication experiences • Improve social participation • Increase an individual’s range of conversational topics • Facilitate continued development of expressive language skills
Clarification Strategies • Research shows • There is often an increase in speech with the introduction of augmentative or alternative communication • Use of clarification strategies results in no decrease in speech and significant increase in communication success and repair • Using clarification strategies results in an increase in communication effectiveness
What is a conversation book? • It is a book (any shape or size) that contains a person’s own news or events. • Like a scrapbook it contains “remnants” or memorabilia of news and/or events of home, school, and community events or activities. • Conversation books showcase the individual – what they like, what they do – who they are!
Why would we make and use a conversation book? • To spark conversations between people • To share information • To ask and respond to questions • To support literacy development • To foster participation (in making the book and sharing the information)
How can you make one? • Be on the lookout for “remnants” (i.e. ticket stubs, a leaf from a walk, a photograph, a postcard, a newspaper article, a picture from a catalogue or a flyer, a napkin, a cut out from a container etc.) • Put the “remnants” into a photo album or paste them into a notebook • Include a sentence describing the item • Talk about it while making it together • Add new information as often as possible • HAVE FUN!!!!
Conversation Books • Examples • Video • Contents/vocabulary selection – handout
Organizing Information • Doesn’t have to be in chronological order • Placement of core vocabulary (i.e. alphabet board, topic board, lists, strategy information) • Think ahead about next steps when the book gets full • Use more of the same books • Transfer information to a larger reference book
Keeping the book up to date/useful • It is recommended that something be added to the book at least ONE time per week.
Remember… • HAVE FUN!! • Keep the topics child focused • Talk about it while making it • Don’t be concerned about how it looks • Include a quick sentence about the topic to help support the conversation
What are topic boards? • Lists categories about which the child frequently communicates • Can include activities, interests, environments • Can include time indicators, ex. “yesterday”, “today”, “tomorrow” • Can be picture or word based • Can include alphabet and/or numbers
When is a child ready to use a topic board? • Has basic categorization skills • Can use symbols to represent ideas • Respond to communication partner’s cues that they are not being understood
Why would you make and use a topic board? • To clarify information • To share information • To ask and respond to questions
How would you make one? • Identify frequently discussed topics, interests and environments • Determine whether you need sub topics • Consider symbol set • Consider how much information will be represented • Consider spacing, colour coding
Topic Boards • Examples • Video • Contents/vocabulary selection
Other methods used to clarify a message: • Theme displays • Picture dictionaries • Alphabet boards • Calendars • Visual reminder page • Partner strategies page
Modeling the use of clarification strategies • Communication partners will need to model the use of these tools • Additional cueing may be needed to support your child in successfully using these strategies PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!!
Things to bring for next session… • Binder/photo album/notebook • Photographs of friends/family/pets • Graphics of favourite toys/games/activities/movies/books • Remnants from recent activities (i.e. ticket stubs, pamphlets) • Any materials that you would like to personalize your child’s book. • Completed topic board template • Completed strategies template • Questions regarding any information discussed during previous sessions