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a ready-to-run workshopSpeech, Language & Communication
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Supporting Speech, Language & Communication Needs (Workshop)

Communication is the foundation of learning and connection, and students with speech, language, or communication needs can be misunderstood, underestimated, or left out. Understanding their needs and supporting communication, including with technology, lets these students participate and show what they know.

Key takeaway

Students with speech, language, or communication needs can be underestimated or left out; understanding their needs and supporting communication, including with assistive technology, lets them participate and show what they know.

Format
PLC / team meeting
Length
45 minutes
Group size
Any (works 4-40)
Who can run it
Any teacher-leader
You will need
Slides (5)Printed handoutA student in mindA timer
Aligned to
Learning Forward: Rigorous ContentInTASC 2: Learning DifferencesResearch on speech and language support
Share / assign

Why it works

Students with speech, language, or communication disorders (articulation, language processing, fluency, or complex communication needs requiring AAC) can struggle to participate and are easily underestimated, their difficulty expressing or processing language mistaken for lack of understanding. Supporting them, giving processing and response time, using visuals and clear language, supporting any communication system (including augmentative and alternative communication), and collaborating with the speech-language pathologist, lets them access learning and show their real understanding.

The research: Research on speech-language needs and communication support.

The run-of-show

Choose your slot. The agenda, timings, and length update to match.

    The core activity: support communication access

    Teachers leave with communication supports and ways for a student to show understanding.

    Support communication, don't underestimateA difficulty expressing language is not a lack of understanding. Give time, support the student's communication system, and offer other ways to show what they know.

    Facilitator notes

    Do not mistake a communication barrier for low abilityStudents who struggle to speak or process language often understand more than they can express. Support communication and look for other ways to show understanding.

    Adapt it

    Participant handout

    One page for every teacher. Print it, or save it as a PDF.

    K12 Academics · Professional Learning

    Communication Needs: support, don't underestimate

    <b>Understanding beyond speech:</b> processing time, visuals, AAC support, and other ways to show what they know.

    1. The student with speech, language, or communication needs:
    2. How I give processing and response time:
    3. How I support the communication system (including AAC):
    4. The ways I let them show understanding:
    5. My SLP collaboration:

    Make it stick

    Support, don't underestimate:

    Common questions

    A student struggles to speak or express ideas. Do they not understand?
    Often they understand far more than they can express. Do not mistake a communication difficulty for a lack of understanding. Give time and support, and look for other ways they can show what they know.
    What is AAC?
    Augmentative and alternative communication, tools and systems (from picture boards to speech-generating devices) that support students who cannot rely on speech. Support and honor the student's system.
    Who helps me?
    The speech-language pathologist is your key partner. Collaborate, follow recommendations, and support communication across the day, not just in therapy.

    Go deeper

    Build it into a bigger day

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    Oral Language & Listening
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    Universal Design for Learning