Clarification Strategies

Augmentative Communication Services – KidsAbility

Overview of Workshops

Two sessions:1. Conversation books, Topic boards +

more – Information session2. 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