Appropriate IEP AT Devices- Communication Switch

Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance: Joey is a 20 month old with developmental delays. He is beginning to respond to visual and auditory action toys and laughs or makes sounds when a toy is activated. He will sometimes reach out to attempt to make the toy move again. Joey’s parents are happy to see him responding to toys and beginning to make sounds, but would like to see him making more attempts at communicating his wants and participating in turn taking games with the family.

Annual Goal: Joey will use a switch or voice output device to actively participate in play experiences to communicate interests to his parents or other caregivers in four out of five opportunities.

          The communication switch will help Joey communicate as it can be programmed with specific language on the wants or needs of a student. It can be used for academic needs or social needs, like asking to play a game. This will help Joey meet his annual goal of using it in four out of five opportunities. 

         I work with a student in a life skills classroom that uses a switch to communicate wants and needs. The switch is a single voice that voices a command or want for the student who has not developed speech yet. It provides a voice for the student and allows them to communicate with individuals.