Teaching Beginning Communication with Inexpensive Single Buttons

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Teaching Beginning Communication with Inexpensive
Single Buttons
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Introduction If youre reading this, you most
likely know someone who is non-verbal or has very
limited communication skills. They may
communicate through grunts, pushing things away,
or throwing that tantrum in the grocery store
isle that seems to last waaaay too long. As a
caregiver, therapist or teacher, our job is to
replace those methods of communication with
functional, socially appropriate communication
that is understood even by unfamiliar listeners.
Inexpensive, single button communication devices
are a great way to begin this process.
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Single button communication devices Single
button communication devices are portable and can
be mounted on various surfaces. Its easy to
change recordings on the fly. Additional
buttons can be added as the users skill level
increases. Single button communications device
prices vary from under 30 for the Talk About!
Communication Button from Adaptive Tech Solutions
to more advanced multi-level communications
buttons like the Little Step-by-Step with levels
from AbleNet.
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So lets talk about beginning communication with
a single button communication device. For
beginning users, how do you choose a message to
teach single switch communication device use?
Think of the most motivating, meaningful activity
for the user. Make sure it is something they
love, love, love! It could be something like I
want chocolate milk or I want to go outside and
play. Place a picture or representational object
on the button, record your message, and make the
button available for the user. Dont give them
the desired activity or thing unless they press
the button. When first starting out, you may have
to place their hand on the button, let the button
speak, and then say Oh, you want ______. and
then give it to them immediately. Dont offer a
choice that isnt realistic. If its 20 degrees
outside, dont give them a button that says I
want to go outside and play.
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Some users understand pictures, others may need
representational objects or to have one of these
paired up with the location of the button. For
instance, a beginning user may not quite
understand that a photo of the playground
represents going outside to play. But, put that
picture on it and mount the button next to the
door that leads to the playground. Every time you
are going to the playground, have them touch the
button that says I want to go to the playground
(or provide hand-over-hand if they dont initiate
pushing the button on their own). Once that
button is pressed and it speaks, take them right
to the playground.
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Contact 1071 Chickasaw RdSand Springs, OK
74063USA Call or text us at [phone] For
more information about Wireless Call Button and
visit here https//www.adaptivetechsolutions.com/
blog/teaching-beginning-communication-with-inexpen
sive-single-buttons-/
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Thank You