Multimodal Communication: Successfully using Signing, Symbols and Apps (ECIA)

Multimodal Communication Amanda Hartmann

Presentation for ECIA- Queensland Chapter at the Early Childhood Intervention Expo

Saturday 17th March, 2013.

Successfully using Signing, Symbols and AppsTo help children become better communicators

Amanda Hartmann Speech Pathologist Inclusive Technology Consultant

Spectronics Inclusive Learning Technologies

What?Signing, symbols, iPad, computers, communication devices

When?Not age prerequisite. Leap in at any age.

Where?Everywhere. Anywhere.

Who?Everyone. Anyone.

Why?Speech, literacy, language, behaviour, participation, visual support, organisation, comprehension, etc.etc.

Speech development

General guideline• Early sounds: p, b, t, d, m, n, w, vowels

• Crucial sounds often in error: s, z, k, g, f, l, h, blends

• Harder sounds: sh, ch, j

• Last sounds to develop: r, th, v

SigningSigning can support students with unclear speechIf they sign as they speak, we may be able to understand them

SymbolsMake low tech symbol cards to target words and sounds

Apps

Speech Development

• Articulation station • Articulation castle • ArtikPix

Suggested apps

Oral language

SigningSigning can support oral languageUse signs to cue words in sentences

SymbolsCreate low tech tools to support oral language.

Apps

Oral language - interactive

• Cookie Doodle • My Playhome • Clicky Sticky • Create a car

Suggested apps

Toca Boca Apps

• Toca Store • Toca Doctor • Hair salon 2 • Toca Tea party • Toca Kitchen Monsters • Toca Tailor • Toca Fairy tales • Toca Kitchen

Suggested apps

Oral language - structured

• Bag Game • Splingo! • Speech with Milo • Special Words • Sentence Builder • Bitsboard

Suggested apps

Communication systemsFor students with little or no speech

SigningSupport or alternative to speech

SymbolsCommunication boards, communication books, PODD books, PECS

SymbolsPicture exchange

Aided Language boards

Apps

Check the comprehensive list of AAC apps on our Spectronics website

Apps for AAC

• Proloquo2go

• Sonoflex

• Speech Hero

• Sounding board

Suggested apps

Early literacy

SigningFinger spelling to support literacy learning

SymbolsUse symbols to create literacy based materials

Apps

Supported writing

• Clicker Docs • Clicker Sentences

Suggested apps

Books• When you grow up

• Don't let the pigeon run this app

• Grasshopper books

• Collins Big Cat Books

Suggested apps

Early literacy

• Firstwords apps

• Kids crosswords

• Montessori crosswords

• Word wizard

• Alphawriter

• Simplex spelling

• Pocket phonics

• Letter school

• iWrite words

• rED

• Starfall

• Oz phonics

Suggested apps

Behaviour tools

SymbolsCreate symbols based tools for the classroom

Apps

Behaviours tools

• Token board • I Earned that • Visual routine • Calm counter • Sharing timer

Suggested apps

Create stuffStories, books, personal histories, social stories, movies, etc. etc.......

SigningCreate personal sign dictionaries

SymbolsKeep creating in Boardmaker! Or clicker! Or whatever. Try resources free and easy to access on websites...Boardmaker shareSpeaking of speech

Apps

Ideas• Supported writing

• Chat books

• Social stories

• Video modelling

• Teacher materials

• Visual tools

• Schedules/timetables

• Cartoons

• Recounts

• Narratives

• Plays

• Quizzes

• Recipes

• Mind maps

Ideas• All about me

• Web content

• Notes

• Brainstorming

• Reminders

• Journals

• Personal histories

• Songs/ Raps

• Job/chore charts

• Poems

• Music

• Fun stuff

• Character descriptions

• Personal dictionaries

Creation tools

• Book creator • Pix n Tell • iMovies • Puppet Pals • Toontastic

Suggested apps

Key take home messages.....

Give it a go! Start. Go. Begin.

Be consistent. Regular and reliable.

Be flexible. Be ready to change and evolve.

Be persistent. Don't give up too soon!

Keep data. What works and what doesn't.

Be fun and engaging! Hook those students in!

Amanda Hartmann Speech Pathologist Inclusive Technology Consultant [email protected]