Classroom Communication StrategiesCommunicating with students with Down Syndrome in a classroom should be characterized mainly by visual learning. Students with Down Syndrome have strong visual learning modalities. Some examples of visual learning communication strategies are: visual demonstrations, pictures, and illustrations.
Activity learning and group activities can also be included in classroom communication strategies between students and teachers. Through the diversity interactions between students, down syndrome students can benefit from each other. |
Assistive Technology |
Computers can function as an educational role in providing instructional activities. It can also be a device to help students with down syndrome to express themselves. Computers itself will not substitute the role and importance of teachers, but they can be added as an addition in teaching options for teachers.
Benefits of using a computer as an assistive technology:
Using computers and apps will allow effective communication by providing accurate, direct, and repeatable symbols and instructions to the student with down syndrome. |
Pyramid Apps (PECS) |
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a tool, now also an app available at the App Store, for teaching an individual how to use pictures to get their desired item with their "communicative partner". It helps them to construct ideas and organize words to put them into sentences.
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Created by Janny Chan
References
Murray-Branch, J. E., & Gamradt, J. E. (1999). Assistive Technology - Strategies and Tools for Enhancing the Communication Skills of Children with Down Syndrome. In Miller, J. F., Leddy, M., & Leavitt, L. A. Improving the Communication of People with Down Syndrome (p. 161-197). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.
Pyramid Educational Consultants. Retrieved from: http://www.pecs-canada.com/apps.php
Special Education Support Service - building on ability. (n.d.). Tips that may assist teachers in the promotion of oral language. Retrieved from: http://www.sess.ie/sites/all/modules/wysiwyg/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/files/Categories/Downs_Syndrome/DS_StrategiestoPromoteLanguage.pdf
Murray-Branch, J. E., & Gamradt, J. E. (1999). Assistive Technology - Strategies and Tools for Enhancing the Communication Skills of Children with Down Syndrome. In Miller, J. F., Leddy, M., & Leavitt, L. A. Improving the Communication of People with Down Syndrome (p. 161-197). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.
Pyramid Educational Consultants. Retrieved from: http://www.pecs-canada.com/apps.php
Special Education Support Service - building on ability. (n.d.). Tips that may assist teachers in the promotion of oral language. Retrieved from: http://www.sess.ie/sites/all/modules/wysiwyg/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/files/Categories/Downs_Syndrome/DS_StrategiestoPromoteLanguage.pdf