Language Communication Skills for Children with special needs LANGUAGE COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS PRESENTED BY MICHELE STOTTLEMYER MEET THE PRESENTER MICHELE STOTTLEMYER • Ea[.]
LANGUAGE COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS PRESENTED BY MICHELE STOTTLEMYER MEET THE PRESENTER MICHELE STOTTLEMYER • Early Childhood Specialist • Workshop Trainer for the Child Care Workforce in the State of Maryland, USA • 30 years experience in the Education Field • Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education • Married for 29 years with children; twin daughters and a son INTRODUCTIONS • There is a saying here in the USA that “A picture is worth a thousand words.” • If you would like to share please unmute yourself and tell us your name and what this pictures “says” to you KEY IDEA • In this workshop we will look at effective strategies that parents, teachers and caregivers can implement when working with children who present with needs in the area of communication Strategies that will be discussed include how to appropriately use a visual schedule, how to use various prompting supports to express wants/needs, as well as strategies to use with students who present with behavioral challenges WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES • The participants will learn to effectively use a visual schedule • The participants will explore prompting supports to help their students express wants/needs • The participants will learn strategies that will help students who present with behavioral challenges COMMUNICATION IN THE CLASSROOM Children with special needs often have a much harder time than their peers with communication skills However, there are ways that you can help these children develop communication skills, and the understanding of how to be an active participant in their classrooms and to express their wants and needs USING VISUALS STRATEGIES IN THE CLASSROOM Ways using visual strategies can support children with special needs Portray expectations (wash your hands, line up, stop, etc.) Teach Routines (visual schedules, first/then boards) Can cue or teach positive behaviors or new skills Support both receptive and expressive language WAYS VISUAL STRATEGIES PROVIDE HELP • Permanent, the student can examine and process (unlike words that are gone once they are said) • Enhances communication skills, academic learning, and selfcontrol • Provides a predictability of the classroom process for the students • Visual cues are very structured when implemented by all adults the same way all the time VISUAL SCHEDULES • Visual schedules use a series of pictures to communicate the order in which an activity or day will proceed for the students They are useful in helping children understand and manage daily events in their lives either at school or at home VISUAL PICTURES • There are a few ways that you can obtain visual pictures to use with your children who have special needs and require the additional support • The internet is a great source of ready made pictures • It is also helpful to the children to see themselves in pictures doing what is being requested of them, or pictures of what they need So taking pictures in the classroom of the children is another great way to gather pictures LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME VISUAL PICTURES FIRST/ THEN BOARDS • Another useful visual to utilize with children with special needs is a First/Then or First/Then/Next Board • OTHER VISUAL IDEAS CHOICE BOARDS CORE BOARDS USING TECHNOLOGY FOR ASSISTANCE