Description
Recorded: April 13, 2023
Length: 90-Minutes
Preschool is the first structured learning opportunity for most students. Preschool learning experiences include pretend play during centers, pre-literacy and writing skills, social interaction on the playground and following a curriculum during circle time, among others. For students with complex bodies and complex communication needs, these everyday opportunities and learning experiences within the preschool classroom can be impacted by accessibility.
Throughout this webinar, experience ideas to increase accessibility for preschool students, supporting multiple access methods in the classroom such as switch access, partner assisted scanning, eye gaze and tactile learning for visual impairments. We will discuss how to interpret and support a total communication approach by assigning meaning to play and communication for some of our youngest learners. Come experience and discuss opportunities for alternative access methods to be embedded within pretend play centers, during playground time, within reading and writing centers and circle time with the ultimate focus for inclusion. This webinar will incorporate ideas to design your own accessible areas within the preschool classroom using every day, common items based on student needs.
What is preschool without a social experience? The final portion will focus on supporting peer interaction, inclusion and acceptance when using alternative access methods through a play-based approach. The research points to a decrease in AAC acceptance as students age, therefore, early exposure to AAC use and universal design for learning can support an inclusive environment from the moment children enter preschool. We will examine classroom opportunities to construct peer interaction with AAC users and devices. Whether you work with touch, switch, eye gaze, partner assisted scanning, or head pointing as access, all are welcome to attend this webinar to increase inclusion and accessibility for our youngest learners.
As a result of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Describe and review alternative access methods when using Augmentative and Alternative Communication ( AAC ) and opportunities for implementation within the preschool classroom setting through play, social, literacy, curriculum and motor based tasks.
- Design at least three innovative and accessible play opportunities within the preschool classroom using alternative access methods.
- Explain three strategies to support inclusion within the preschool classroom focusing on communication and play opportunities with peers.
Mary Katherine Dally, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP, has served as the SLP on an ALS clinic focusing AAC evaluations, voice banking and no-tech/low tech communication. She then worked as a solutions consultant for a communication device company, traveling the West side of Ohio. Currently, Katherine works as an assistive technology consultant through an educational service center and works in a preschool program as a speech-language pathologist. She presents at local and national conferences.
