Write the Chart
“…early writing can be a challenging and frequently overlooked activity for students with significant disabilities including complex communication and physical needs."
–Hanser, 2009
“…early writing can be a challenging and frequently overlooked activity for students with significant disabilities including complex communication and physical needs."
–Hanser, 2009
Introduce the topic or sentence frame by modelling, and ensuring students have choices/ideas to complete the sentence frame. For students with limited verbal communication skills, an alternate way to communicate their choices and read their sentences will be needed. Examples:
For our earliest communicators, write Charts about what the students know, have had experience with, and care about. See an example of an interest inventory below.
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We do not add pictures to the Chart. This focus is on the letters and the words – the print. |
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Use clip art, real pictures, symbols, objects and/or a verbal menu of choices to complete a chart writing activity for students who are non-verbal or have sensory impairments.
Students don't have to be accurate in their answers. Whatever they answer will be a teachable moment. Students will learn by adults attributing meaning to their choices. (eg: "Is your favorite summer drink: lemonade, tea, milkshake, or soda? You touched/looked at/hit your switch at milkshake. Ann's favorite summer drink is a milkshake.") (from http://www.livebinders.com/play/play/455015) |
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Provide students access to vocabulary needed for their sentence (e.g. ‘I like ___’)
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