Support for Schools

• Do you have students with complex communication needs?
• Is communication development a key focus area in your school?
• Can you see the benefits of AAC/Communication Assistive Technology, but need assistance to develop student skills in order for them to effectively use this technology? 
• Do you need support completing funding applications to Enable or Accessable for Communication Assistive Technology?

TalkLink has identified the need to offer support to schools that require assistance with developing student skills at the early stages of communication development; that is, before students are ready for a formal referral to TalkLink to access Ministry of Health funded assessments for communication assistive technology.

In addition there is often a need for further training and support in the programming and use of complex communication equipment beyond that funded through the Ministry of Health.

The experienced TalkLink team are able to support schools develop these skills through:

• Gathering baseline data. This will be achieved by class-based observations, to determine skills and areas of difficulty
• Team training sessions to develop teaching staff and other interested people (parents, support workers) knowledge in communication strategies including developing:
  • a better understanding of the important steps in achieving communication outcomes
  • a "road map" that shows us the important steps in achieving these outcomes
  • a way to determine where a student is on this road and where he is going next
  • a way of determining what is necessary to travel successfully along this road
• Visual supports that can be used in classrooms.
• Low and high tech classroom strategies to assist students learn the motor and cognitive tasks necessary to achieve communication competence, such as:
  • Cause/effect
  • Scanning
• Recommending class based tools that would help in this process
  • Software
  • Computer peripherals
  • Simple class-based communication devices
• Advising when a referral to TalkLink for a Communication Assistive Technology assessment is appropriate for individual students
• Providing further additional one-on-one or group training in the programming and use of communication devices

Cost:

For further information on costs and support packages please contact:

Ann Smaill
General Manager
TalkLink Trust

09 815 3232 ext 806