There are so many ways to communicate with each other! We all have our preferences, which could depend upon our skills or ability. Different communication modalities can include speaking, reading, or writing, understanding gestures, using sign language, or using a Speech Generating Device (SGD). Whatever the setting, you need to know which modality is the most effective way for your learner to communicate with you.
This may sound simple if you are only teaching one learner at a time, but what happens if you have multiple learners using a range of modalities, how can you support all of them effectively at the same time?
Here are our Ten Top Tips for using a range of communication modalities within any setting:
- Each learner is an individual
A total communication approach embraces all modalities within any one environment, but we can’t expect one learner to use multiple modalities in one communication opportunity. Know what modality your learner uses and at what level they should be using it. We must be consistent in our expectations of their communication and provide the best support to develop their communication across any setting.
- Differentiate your expectations
Different learners have different skill levels; you need to know each learner’s ability so you can differentiate your expectations. In one activity you may need to plan for a variety of communication opportunities, requesting, commenting, spontaneous and responsive communication all need to take place!
- Seek training
How would you understand someone communicating with you using sign language unless you can understand sign language itself?! You need to be trained in using a modality before you can effectively teach it and extend your learners skill level.
- Be prepared
Have all the relevant resources available to support your learner to use their specific modality. You may need to prepare pictures before a lesson, or upload a new grid to a high-tech device, or perhaps teach the staff team some new signs. When completing your activity plans try thinking about the new vocabulary learners may need to access.
- Plan to generalise new skills
Create multiple opportunities to promote communication throughout the entire day. Teaching in different places with different people is a great starting point.
- Know the teaching strategy you are going to use
To teach efficiently you need to choose the best teaching strategy for the skill and learning style of the individual. You could use shaping, modelling, forward or backward chaining, or a visual prompt…there are many more possible options!
- Help then stop helping
The more you help your learner the more dependent your learner will become on that help. When teaching a new skill, of course support will be needed, but each time the learner practices this skill you need to help a little less until they reach independence.
- Know how to correct any mistakes
If your learner makes a mistake and you simply supply the answer to them, we cannot ensure learning has occurred. Use your knowledge of the learner, and the lesson type to inform your choice of appropriate error correction.
- Monitor and collect data
To understand if you are teaching effectively and if your learner is making the intended progress we need data. This could be collected on paper, via a tablet or even using a clicker or sticky-note taped on your leg. Whatever is the easiest method for you is fine. Just make sure you find time to analyse that data to help you with your planning for your next lesson.
- Communication is fun!
If we want our learners to enjoy communicating it should be fun! Play games, be silly and try not to be too predictable. Learning to communicate really doesn’t need to take place at a table, head out to the park, the café or soft play, wherever your learner would want to tell you valuable information.
We hope you find these tips helpful, check out our teaching resources for helpful materials and documents to support your success in teaching communication with any modality in your setting.
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