Clarification Strategies Augmentative Communication Services – KidsAbility

Overview of Workshops  Two sessions: 1. Conversation books, Topic boards + more – Information session 2. Make and Take session

Clarification Strategies  Clarification Strategies can: Increase successful communication experiences Improve social participation Increase an individual’s range of conversational topics Facilitate continued development of expressive language skills

Clarification Strategies  Research shows There is often an increase in speech with the introduction of augmentative or alternative communication Use of clarification strategies results in no decrease in speech and significant increase in communication success and repair Using clarification strategies results in an increase in communication effectiveness

What is a conversation book?  It is a book (any shape or size) that contains a person’s own news or events.  Like a scrapbook it contains “remnants” or memorabilia of news and/or events of home, school, and community events or activities.  Conversation books showcase the individual – what they like, what they do – who they are!

Why would we make and use a conversation book?  To spark conversations between people  To share information  To ask and respond to questions  To support literacy development  To foster participation (in making the book and sharing the information)

How can you make one?  Be on the lookout for “remnants” (i.e. ticket stubs, a leaf from a walk, a photograph, a postcard, a newspaper article, a picture from a catalogue or a flyer, a napkin, a cut out from a container etc.)  Put the “remnants” into a photo album or paste them into a notebook  Include a sentence describing the item  Talk about it while making it together  Add new information as often as possible  HAVE FUN!!!!

Conversation Books  Examples  Video  Contents/vocabulary selection – handout

Organizing Information  Doesn’t have to be in chronological order  Placement of core vocabulary (i.e. alphabet board, topic board, lists, strategy information)  Think ahead about next steps when the book gets full  Use more of the same books  Transfer information to a larger reference book

Keeping the book up to date/useful  It is recommended that something be added to the book at least ONE time per week.

Remember…  HAVE FUN!!  Keep the topics child focused  Talk about it while making it  Don’t be concerned about how it looks  Include a quick sentence about the topic to help support the conversation

What are topic boards?  Lists categories about which the child frequently communicates  Can include activities, interests, environments  Can include time indicators, ex. “yesterday”, “today”, “tomorrow”  Can be picture or word based  Can include alphabet and/or numbers

When is a child ready to use a topic board?  Has basic categorization skills  Can use symbols to represent ideas  Respond to communication partner’s cues that they are not being understood

Why would you make and use a topic board?  To clarify information  To share information  To ask and respond to questions

How would you make one?  Identify frequently discussed topics, interests and environments  Determine whether you need sub topics  Consider symbol set  Consider how much information will be represented  Consider spacing, colour coding

Topic Boards  Examples  Video  Contents/vocabulary selection

Other methods used to clarify a message:  Theme displays  Picture dictionaries  Alphabet boards  Calendars  Visual reminder page  Partner strategies page

Modeling the use of clarification strategies  Communication partners will need to model the use of these tools  Additional cueing may be needed to support your child in successfully using these strategies PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!!

Things to bring for next session…  Binder/photo album/notebook  Photographs of friends/family/pets  Graphics of favourite toys/games/activities/movies/books  Remnants from recent activities (i.e. ticket stubs, pamphlets)  Any materials that you would like to personalize your child’s book.  Completed topic board template  Completed strategies template  Questions regarding any information discussed during previous sessions