.Teaching Students with Intensive Communication Needs
 
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June 5, 2006 (class #2)
Topic: What is communication? What is language?



Class outline:
4:20-4:30 Quick questions and quandaries. Announcements:
  • Reading questions for Johnson et al., 1996 are due now. If you did not have a chance to do this small assignment, you might consider the extra credit assignment.
  • Don't forget that there are reading questions or an article summary due for the next three class sessions.
  • The first major assignment is due a week from tomorrow. Please make sure that you read the assignment description and grading criteria AHEAD of time. The summaries/reading questions will help you complete the key concepts paper.
4:30-4:45 Small group activity: 
  • Divide into four groups. Each group will deconstruct one or more of the assumptions provided in the  Johnson, et al, 1996, reading (group 1 will take assumption 1; group 2, assumptions 2 & 3; group 4, assumptions 4 & 5; group 4, assumptions 6 & 7).
  • Discuss how these assumptions might differ from common perspectives about the communication needs and abilities of individuals with severe disabilities, especially in many segregated school classrooms and programs.
4:45-5:10 Report out
5:10-5:20 Quick write: "Based on your understanding of the readings, how do 'communication' and 'language' seem to be different concepts?"
5:20-6:15 Interactive presentation: defining, comparing, and contrasting 'language' and 'communication'
6:15-6:20 minute paper:
  • What was the most important concept you learned in class today?
  • What was the muddiest part of the class?
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Overheads: Handouts:
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Optional Reading Questions:
Note: All of the readings, required and recommended, can be found on electronic reserves at Zimmerman library. Please contact the instructor for the course password.


Johnson, et al., 1996, chapter 1
1) Why do you think the authors place such an importance on the message receiver?
2) How would the adoption of these assumptions change how we go about deciding what strategies to select for enhancing communication?
3)  What do these assumptions say about considering communication in a culturally diverse region, such as New Mexico?
4)  What experiences have you had with individuals with a communication system (other than oral language) that appears to either take into consider the factors mentioned or violate some of them?
5) How does the definition of communication implicit in this article compare with that from yesterday's reading (the National Joint Committee for the Communicative Needs for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 1992 -- definition quoted in handout above).
6) Now that you've read this chapter:
  • what are some new terms for you from this chapter?
  • what seem to be some important concepts in this reading?
  • what new questions do you have?

ASHA, 1982 (definition of language)
1) This definition says that "language is a complex and dynamic system of conventional symbols"? What do you think that means?
2) Why is it important to consider historical, social and cultural contexts when assessing someone’s language abilities?
3)  This definition lists five parameters of language. Define each of them, using your other readings.
4)  4) Pragmatics is often a difficult area for students with intensive communication needs. What types of supports could we provide for students to help them in this area?
5) What do you think the authors of the definition mean by "the interaction of biological, cognitive, psychosocial, and environmental factors?
6)  For students with severe disabilities, give an example of how motivation could affect communication
7) Now that you've read this article:
  • what are some new terms for you from this article?
  • what seem to be some important concepts in this reading?
  • what new questions do you have?
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Additional Resources:
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Recommended Readings:
Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., & Hyams, N. N. (2003). An introduction to language (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.
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Griffith, P. L., & Ripich, D. N. (1999). Definitions of language disorders: Who can be served? In D. L. Rogers-Adkinson & P. L. Griffith (Eds.), Communication disorders and children with psychiatric and behavioral disorders (pp. 1-37). San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group.
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Lessow-Hurley, J. (2000). The foundations of dual language instruction (3rd ed.). New York: Longman. (chapter 3, in paticular)
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Julia Scherba de Valenzuela, Ph.D.
Last updated: June 4, 2007