Language Competence: Don't Settle for a Piece of the Pie
As verbal individuals, we use language to serve a variety of functions.
These functions include:
- Social closeness e.g., “Can I tell you a story?” or “Let’s get together for coffee” or “Kiss please”;
- Etiquette e.g., “Please” or “Sorry” or “I really appreciate all of your help”;
- Information Transfer e.g., “My children went to the beach this summer” or “Two plus two equals 4” or “Big truck”;
- Wants and Needs e.g., “I need my glasses” or “I would like to wear the red dress with the pink tights” or “More juice”;
- Internal Dialogue e.g., “Remember the library book” or “First I have to listen to the story, then I can go on the swing.”
In addition, we use language in a variety of different ways. Sometimes, we use a word or a phrase to quickly get into an interaction or express an opinion. Sometimes, we ask specific questions or give long, detailed answers. We use simple words in some interactions and more complex language at other times.
Variety in spoken language is applicable for both children and adults. Certainly, we learn more vocabulary and more complex ways of combining language as we grow, but even young children use language creatively to both serve different functions and learn more language.
We want the same variety for individuals with complex communication needs (CCN). But, how can we help these individuals serve the same communicative functions? How can we encourage them to use language in a wide variety of ways? How can we support both successful day-to-day interaction and the development of higher-level language and literacy skills? This session is designed to answer these questions for individuals with CCN at a variety of communication levels.
Specifically, we will address the following areas:
- Elements of language used by all communicators: Using group activities and discussion of current research, we will explore the language needs of all communicators – both verbal and individuals with complex communication needs.
- Presenting the elements of language for individuals with CCN: Using lecture, demonstration and discussion of current research, we will explore how the various language elements can be represented. Special emphasis will be given to the need for access to all language elements rather than just one or two.
- Teaching multiple language elements to individuals with CCN: Using lecture, group activities and on-line resources, we will discuss how to teach a variety of language elements for individuals with varying communication ability levels. Strategies will include conducting a needs assessment, identifying everyday activities in which to teach, identifying appropriate communication goals and lesson plans for teaching specific language elements.
As a result of attending this session, participants will:
- State results of two to three research studies related to how we all communicate
- Apply the results of those studies to the language needs of AAC users
- Utilise two to three new resources for teaching language