CEC+Standard+6


 * CEC Standard 6: Language **

Special educators understand typical and atypical language development and the ways in which exceptional conditions can interact with an individual’s experience with and use of language. Special educators use individualized strategies to enhance language development and teach communication skills to individuals with ELN**//. Special educators are familiar with augmentative, alternative, and assistive technologies to support and enhance communication of individuals with exceptional needs.//** Special educators match their communication methods to an individual’s language proficiency and cultural and linguistic differences. Special educators provide effective language models, and they use communication strategies and resources to facilitate understanding of subject matter for individuals with ELN whose primary language is not English.

Reflection: One of the main characteristics of individuals with multiple and severe disabilities is represented by language impairments. These can range from mild, moderate to profound such as total absence of verbal language. Some individuals have alternative ways of communicating such as objects/pictures/symbols, sign language or different augmentative devices such as touch screen voice output devices, voice synthesizers, etc. Throughout the graduate program I learned that these instruments or ways of communication play a very important role in the life of a person who has such as a disability. They can be used to express their needs, to socialize or to reject things that are disliked. As a special education teacher it is very important that I become familiar and that I stay updated with new ways of alternative ways of communication. When teaching language skills to people with disabilities it is very important to take into consideration their individual and family needs to program intervention accordingly. An example from my practice that I usually try with every student is that I try to learn my students’ preferences by talking with their families or other professionals who are working with him. By using this reinforcers I keep my students engaged and motivated to finish the tasks throughout their day.

Artifact: The project I used for this standard was an observation I conducted at Midlands Assistive Technology Center during the summer of 2012. During the course of the visit I was introduced to multiple devices that were used for different purposes such as communication, mobility, self-help skills or just for entertainment or leisure activities. The most important skill that I learned during the visit was that not every device (e.g. an Ipad) necessarily fits the needs of an individual with disabilities. In my project I described how the specialists at the center conduct an assessment to determine which device is most suitable for a person. This procedure emphasizes the need for every professional in the field of special education to individualize instruction for each one of the students they are working with in order to reach their maximum potential.

AT reflection

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