Communication is at the core of our work with learners at Mont a l’Abbé School. The importance of communication in empowering learners and ensuring their access to the curriculum is recognised. All those involved in a child’s education should possess the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to ensure that effective communication is achievable for all. Acknowledging the importance of the setting where communication takes place, Mont a ‘Abbe School provides specialised support by creating a communication-enabling environment in which a child can learn, play and have fun alongside others while taking part in everyday social activities as well as educational ones.
Within that setting, our goals are:
- To help children develop spontaneous and functional communication skills
- To help children develop good relationships with others
- To help children maintain a well-regulated emotional state for learning and interacting
- To help children maximise their opportunities to take part in daily life
- Adopting a total communication approach throughout school, where learners have access to their own means of communication throughout the day.
- Developing means of communication appropriate to each child’s individual needs.
- Creating opportunities for communication throughout the curriculum to enable each child to communicate to the best of their ability.
Total Communication Approach
The total communication approach is about finding the right communication for each learner. This approach helps an individual to form connections, ensures successful interactions and supports information exchanges and conversations.
AAC – Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Augmentative and Alternative Communication is any form of communication used by an individual as an alternative or supplement for speech
No-tech communication aids
No-tech communication uses only the body to communicate. No-tech communication can include gesture, facial expression and sign language.
Low-tech communication aids
Low-tech communication aids use low technology aids as a form of communication. Types of low-tech communication aids include pen and paper (writing or drawing), alphabet charts, symbols and pictures.
Hi-tech communication aids
Hi-tech communication involves any form of electronic communication aids. Types of hi-tech communication aids include, voice synthesisers and computer aids with keyboard, pictures or symbols. Classes have access to Grid software to support the communication for all learners. Some learners have their own device with Grid to use as their main communication method.
The type of AAC used by the individual will depend on a number of factors, including the individual’s preferred method of communication, the severity of their communication difficulty, their overall ability and underlying condition.
Makaton
Makaton uses speech with signs (gestures) and symbols (pictures) to help people communicate. We also use facial expression, eye contact and body language to give as much information as possible.
With Makaton, signs are used with speech in spoken word order. Using signs can help people who have no speech or whose speech is unclear. Research has shown that signs and gestures are easier to learn than spoken words. This makes sense. Babies use gestures before they can speak, to tell us what they want. For example, they might point at the biscuit tin or hold out their arms to be lifted up. Children and adults can use Makaton to let others know what they want, make choices, share information and understand more. This helps build and develop important communication and language skills.
At Mont a l’Abbe we use Makaton as part of our total communication approach.
