Communication Rich Classroom Environment
Creating an AAC-enriched classroom environment involves integrating various visual supports and communication tools into the classroom environment to facilitate communication and learning for all students, especially those who rely on AAC. Our Communication Classroom Kit in the MyTurn lending library (https://tnatproject.myturn.com/) gives teachers the opportunity to try out ideas in a tangible way to see what those supports may look like for their individual classroom.
Visual Supports
Physical Arrangement Visuals: The physical environment plays a huge role for all learners. Physical arrangement visuals, such as "get in line" cues and designated sit spots for group activities, optimize classroom organization and facilitate smooth transitions. Incorporating color-coded elements enhances clarity and structure, aiding students in understanding expectations and navigating classroom routines effectively. By strategically implementing these visuals, educators create an environment that promotes independence, cooperation, and engagement among students.
Visual Schedule: Display a daily schedule using pictures and words at the students' eye level. This helps students understand the sequence of activities and transitions throughout the day. Students may also benefit from individualized schedules for particular parts of their days.
Labeling: Clearly label areas and objects in the classroom with pictures and words (e.g., "Reading Corner," "Art Supplies"). This supports vocabulary development and environmental print awareness.
STOP signs: STOP sign visuals in the classroom are used to signal when an activity or behavior should cease immediately. Placed in strategic locations or used by teachers during specific situations, these signs provide a clear, non-verbal cue that enhances safety and order. They help students quickly understand boundaries and expectations, promoting a structured and respectful learning environment.
Bathroom Visuals: Bathroom visuals guide students through toileting and handwashing routines using step-by-step task analysis, ensuring clarity and independence. These visuals include visuals for each toileting step, the correct number of soap pumps, and the appropriate amount of paper towels to use. By providing clear, consistent instructions, these supports help maintain hygiene and foster self-sufficiency in personal care tasks.
Core word Classroom Instructions: Core word classroom instruction labels, such as "turn on light" and "open the door," provide clear visual cues to support functional communication and independence. These labels, placed near relevant objects or areas, help students understand and use essential vocabulary in context. By incorporating these core words into daily routines, students can more easily learn and apply language skills throughout their school environment.
Wearable Visual Supports: Wearables provide quick and easy access to essential vocabulary, serving both as visual supports for giving instructions for teachers and as AAC tools for students to expressively communicate needs, emotions, and responses. This dual functionality enhances spontaneous communication and decreases reliance on verbal cues across various settings and activities. These types of tools are useful for kids who have difficulty staying in designated locations.
Academic Visuals and Manipulatives: By providing concrete representations and scaffolding learning experiences, academic visuals and manipulatives promote active participation and deeper understanding among students in the classroom. Check out the other kits available on MyTurn lending library (https://tnatproject.myturn.com/) for examples of academic visuals and manipulatives.
Behavior Management Visual Supports
Visual Timers: Visual timers are tools that use visual cues to represent the passage of time, helping students understand and manage time-related tasks. By clearly showing how much time is left for an activity, these timers reduce anxiety and improve time management skills.
First-Then Boards: Use first-then boards to help students understand the sequence of tasks and transitions. These boards show what activity is happening now and what will happen next. Check out Autism Leveled Up’s tool as well which adds in “until/for” information which gives the user more information about the expectations.
Token Boards: Token boards are visual tools used to reinforce positive behavior by allowing students to earn tokens for completing tasks or demonstrating desired behaviors. Once a predetermined number of tokens is earned, students can exchange them for a reward, such as a preferred activity or item. These systems provides clear, visual motivation and helps students understand the connection between their actions and rewards.
Feelings/Energy Level Visuals: Interactive visuals where students can identify different emotions/feelings/energy levels they are experiencing and possible solutions to regulate themselves.
AAC Tools
Teacher/Aide Tablet with Variety of Communication Apps for Modeling Student’s Systems: In an ideal classroom scenario, teachers and aides are equipped with individual tablets loaded with a variety of communication apps to model students' AAC systems effectively. By integrating AAC modeling into daily interactions and instruction, educators create a supportive environment that enhances communication skills and fosters inclusivity for all students.
Emulator of AAC System on Smartboard - An emulator of AAC systems on smartboards replicates the functionality of dedicated AAC devices, enabling interactive communication experiences directly on the classroom's smartboard. By integrating AAC emulation and modeling into whole group activities, educators can promote inclusivity and facilitate communication development for all students within the classroom environment.
Core Boards and Posters: Place core vocabulary boards around the classroom, including at group work tables, centers, and near the door. These boards should contain frequently used words and phrases, allowing students to communicate basic needs and participate in discussions. Project Core and many of the high-tech AAC devices have printable core boards for a variety of grid sizes and in various formats. Consider having additional core boards placed in a variety of school locations, including the playground, cafeteria, and special area classrooms.
Fringe Vocabulary Boards: For each center, subject, or theme, create visual boards that include relevant fringe vocabulary in addition to the core boards already in the classroom. This can be done relatively quickly using tools such as Boardmaker or Lessonpix.
Choice Boards: Provide choice boards during activities to allow students to select preferred tasks or materials. This can be used during any activity and are highly customized for the specific classroom. We have included a greetings choice board in our Classroom Communication Kit.
Tangible Symbols: Tangible symbols are physical objects or representations used to support communication for individuals with complex communication needs. These symbols are concrete, touchable items that represent specific words or concepts, aiding comprehension and expression.
Environmental One Message Mid-Tech Devices: One-message mid-tech devices in the classroom consist of simple voice output communication aids with a single button, facilitating communication for students with limited verbal abilities. These devices may include buttons to request help from the teacher or indicate bathroom needs, as well as a "go" button mounted on the classroom door to signal readiness for transitions. By offering a straightforward means of expression, these devices empower students to convey essential messages independently, promoting inclusivity and participation in classroom activities.
Step-by-step or Randomizer Mid-Tech Device: Through increased accessibility and autonomy in communication, students can contribute to a more inclusive classroom environment.
Multiple Choice Mid-Tech Device: These devices feature buttons or switches that students can activate to express their needs, preferences, or choices. Mid-tech AAC devices empower students to actively participate in classroom activities, fostering independence and engagement in their learning experience. They are a fantastic choice for choice boards as it gives students the voice output needed by many students.
Snack/Meal Mats: During snack/meal times, students use personalized mats with pictures and core vocabulary to indicate choices, request items, and follow routines, promoting independence and social interaction. This consistent visual support enhances communication skills and fosters engagement in meal-time activities when staff are often hesitant to have personal devices present.
Gesture Dictionaries for Individual Students: Gesture dictionaries are personalized collections of gestures tailored to individual students with complex communication needs, serving as a visual reference for communication partners. By supporting non-verbal communication through consistent and mutually understood gestures, these dictionaries enhance the student's ability to express themselves and interact with others effectively. See our blogpost about this tool.
Teaching Idea Area: It is also a great idea to have a designated space in the classroom for communication partners to know which core words to focus on and remind them of modeling strategies.
Activity First Worksheet for planning AAC modeling: The Activity First Worksheet is a planning tool designed to prioritize AAC modeling during classroom activities. It prompts educators to identify target activities, the communication opportunities within them, and the relevant vocabulary to model during each step. By systematically integrating AAC modeling into lesson plans, teachers ensure consistent and purposeful communication support for students with complex communication needs, fostering language development and participation in all aspects of learning.
There are many ideas available for incorporating AAC into classroom routines. We have included some printed resources in the Classroom Communication Kit but check out the AAC Implementation section of the AT Project’s Wakelet as well.
In establishing an AAC-enriched classroom, the integration of diverse visual supports and communication tools is paramount to fostering inclusive learning environments, particularly for students dependent on AAC. Our Communication Classroom Kit, available through the MyTurn lending library, empowers teachers to explore and implement these supports firsthand, tailoring them to the specific needs and dynamics of their classrooms. By embracing these resources, educators can enhance communication opportunities and learning experiences for all students, ensuring every voice is heard and valued.
Classroom Communication Kit Resources: https://wakelet.com/wake/bAODZjvo008NM2cDS--Hg