Helping the General Education Team Support Students Who Use AAC

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 82-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Zangari

Abstract To be successful, students who use AAC and attend general education classes require extensive supports and frequent practice with their communication systems. In this article, I explore the challenges faced by educational teams and discuss strategies for helping general education teachers, paraprofessionals, and others provide the AAC learning and practice opportunities these students need to maximize their communication skills and academic achievement.

2021 ◽  
pp. 004005992199069
Author(s):  
Erin Stehle Wallace ◽  
Reed Senter ◽  
Nicole Peterson ◽  
Kelsey T. Dunn ◽  
Jason Chow

Students’ language skills are a foundational component to their overall success, indicating the importance of rich language environments in classrooms. It is critical for teachers to understand how to create an environment aimed at maximizing language as they’re likely to have students with language disorders in their classroom. Typically, teachers receive minimal training on students with language disorders and how to support them academically. This paper discusses the significance of interdisciplinary collaborative relationships between speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and general education teachers to achieve a language rich environment in the classroom. We (a) introduce the essential components to an effective SLP-teacher partnership, (b) address barriers and provide plausible solutions, (c) overview common types of language disorders, (d) provide tips on how to use language-supportive strategies, and (e) discuss different types of effective partnerships to support students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Wesley Owens ◽  
Steve P Wells

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the instructional practices of elementary English language learner (ELL) teachers and how those practices are perceived by the teachers to be aligned with improved ELL academic performance. The study is grounded in Ladson-Billings’ theory of culturally relevant pedagogy, which holds that student academic achievement and cultural identity should be affirmed. The research questions focused on exploring instructional practices used by teachers to support ELL learning and the teachers’ perceptions of how their practices are aligned with improved ELL academic performance. The qualitative descriptive study was limited to three elementary schools in an Eastern school district. We analyzed data from lesson plans and semistructured interviews with nine general education teachers who taught in an elementary school in the geographical area. Using a priori, open, and axial coding, we analyzed data from lesson plans and semi-structured interviews with nine elementary school general education teachers who taught in a school in the geographical area. The findings demonstrated that positive strategies for cooperative learning and varied instructional practices were in use, but there is a need to build culturally appropriate and collaborative relationships with teachers of speakers of other languages and create a welcoming learning atmosphere for ELLs. A policy recommendation paper was developed to improve ELL pedagogy in content classes. Improved instruction for ELLs will contribute to positive social change by increasing ELL students’ academic achievement.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Jiji Olds ◽  
Michelle McCraney ◽  
Sunddip Panesar-Aguilar ◽  
Chris Cale

In an Eastern U.S. school district, little is understood about how elementary general education teachers apply instructional strategies for English Language Learners (ELLs) in the classroom and which strategies they perceive support academic achievement. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore elementary general education teachers’ reported application of ELL instructional strategies and their perceptions of how those strategies support ELL academic achievement. The study’s conceptual framework consisted of Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, which infers that learning is a social process guided by interactions with one’s environment, people, and culture. Also framing this study was Krashan’s second language acquisition theory (Long, 1983), which infers that language is attained though one’s strong desire to interact with the world around them. Two research questions were used to investigate the reported ELL instructional strategies used by teachers and how teachers perceive those strategies support ELLs’ achievement. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 elementary general education teachers. Volunteers were recruited from schools having ELL populations of 30% or more. Interview data were analyzed by using open and a priori codes and thematic analysis. The findings indicated that participants used familiar instructional strategies and consistently applied them for the whole class. Additionally, participants perceived ELLs’ academic confidence and connecting concepts with their primary language as important to academic achievement. This study contributes to positive social change through a deeper understanding of the ELL instructional strategies that may benefit elementary teachers and stakeholders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-91
Author(s):  
Libby MacDonald ◽  
David Trembath ◽  
Jill Ashburner ◽  
Debra Costley ◽  
Kaaren Haas ◽  
...  

Abstract A number of studies have demonstrated visual schedules and work systems to be effective in assisting students on the autism spectrum to stay on task and work independently. However, evidence of effectiveness does not ensure a timely implementation of interventions in applied educational contexts. The translatability of interventions depends, to a large extent, on their contextual fit and how they are perceived by those that will use them. This mixed methods study examined general education teachers' responses to an information toolkit outlining the use of visual schedules and work systems as inclusive, whole-class practices. While teachers regarded the toolkit positively, their responses also offer insights into potential barriers to implementation.


2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Hurd

Abstract The team in IEP team is a necessity for students with complex communication needs. These students need the expertise of each team member to design a custom education that allows them to make progress towards state educational standards and build communication competence across curriculum areas. This article covers the strengths each team member brings to the IEP team. Parents bring a long-term perspective of the student; general education teachers bring their knowledge of what curriculum will be covered in the inclusion classroom; and special education teachers bring their training in working with and making adaptations for students with special needs. The article also focuses specifically on ways the speech-language pathologist contributes information on how language is used across the curriculum. A vital part of the role of the SLP on the IEP team is to pinpoint specific areas of language need and to provide teachers with ways to address those areas of need within their curriculum.


2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 100-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Kessel ◽  
Linda Sue Sickman

Abstract This study describes survey results measuring the knowledge undergraduate elementary education major students have about augmentative and alternative communication. Those students with experience and course knowledge surrounding AAC were more knowledgeable. Implications for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) will be addressed, including how SLPs can provide classroom teachers with classroom support for general education teachers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Ashby Jones ◽  
Belinda Rudinger ◽  
Nichole Williams ◽  
Stephanie Witcher

Teacher knowledge of, and comfort with, assistive technology (AT) is key for student use of AT. Previous research identified the AT competencies needed for instructing students with visual impairments (VI) and level of competency required in each. The authors selected 20 of the competencies most appropriate for general education teachers instructing students with VI and investigated the impact of pre-service teacher training in AT on their self-rated competency levels. Pre-service teachers were given a pre-test (using qualitative and quantitative measures), trained in AT using a scavenger hunt in the AT Lab at the university where the study took place, and then completed a post-test of the same measures. Participants could name more AT software and devices on the post-test and viewed themselves as more competent with regards to the 20 SAT competencies.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document