IEPs and Augmented Communication

In my professional experience, I have not had many students that use augmented communication devices.  The way our school district is set up is by schools.  The elementary school that I work at has the "emotional support," classroom.  There is another elementary school in our district that has the "life-skills," classroom, another has the "autistic," classroom, etc.

However, it is important to know to incorportate augmented communication devices into the student's IEPs, whenever possible.  Furthermore, students must use their devices in the classroom, community, and on a daily basis, in order for them to develop an understanding of how to use their device.

When students use their devices, there are several different goals that that are able to work towards, when using augmented communication devices:

1. Increase his or her spontaneous use of appropriate communication with familiar partners for at least three communicative purposes.
2. The student with independently navigate the augmentative communication device without assistance.