EDUC9511 Complex Communication Needs and Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Dr Emma Grace

2021

4.5

1 x 1-hour on-line exercises weekly

This topic focuses upon issues and intervention strategies that support communication and learning of persons with complex communication needs. This includes understanding the relationship between social skills and communication and the communication characteristics of persons with autism, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, physical or multiple disabilities. A variety of topics are presented, including: assessment of communicative functions, teaching communication through milieu techniques, programming for generalisation, and selecting and implementing augmentative communication systems.

This topic aims to:

Understand the characteristics of students with complex communication needs and important considerations for assessment and instructional strategies
Consider the range of pragmatic functions of communication when assessing communication skills and designing communication programs
Understand the process of conducting an assessment of functional communication
Develop an understanding of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) modes, considerations in selection, and strategies for instruction
Develop a knowledge of evidence-based instructional strategies for promoting communication skills (e.g., naturalistic teaching techniques)

On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:

Describe the communication characteristics of learners who have complex communication needs including autism, intellectual, physical or multiple disabilities
Assess the communication abilities of one learner with complex communication needs and developmental disability through functional communication assessment
Develop a communication program for a learner with complex communication needs and developmental disability that reflects evidence-based instructional strategies such as the use of naturalistic language teaching
Develop an augmentative and alternative communication system suitable for the learner and provide a rationale as to why this system is recommended

Key dates and timetable

No timetable details found. Contact the relevant College office for further information.

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