I teach a lively group of first and second grade students at a small neighborhood school in Chicago. My students are classified as having severe to profound cognitive and physical disabilities. Some of my students are visually impaired, one is hearing impaired, two have seizure disorders and one is autistic.
Although all of my students are nonverbal, we stress communication and choice making every day. We use single and double communication devices which allows my students to answer one or two choice questions. We are approaching the point at which some of my students will be ready to try a more complex communication system.
The next step for my students is a communicator with 4 choices. It is separated
into four separate compartments. In each compartment you can put a representational object, so the child can touch the item and press the correct switch. For instance, one compartment would have a square on it and would say "square" when it is pushed. This would be suitable for all of my students.
The four compartment communicator would enable my students to double the number of choices they can now make. In addition, the reinforcement provided by the concrete object would lessen their frustration and provide many successful communication experiences for them.
Thank you so much for considering my proposal. My students have the potential to be good communicators, if only given the chance.
More than a third of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Sorokas and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.