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VIDBE-Q Volume 63 Issue 2
students have the same internal feelings that verbal students have, however, they are
unable to communicate them. This body system is what communicates to our nonverbal
students their needs (Faure & Richardson, 2002). Teachers must help children
understand these feelings, educate them on what their body is telling them, and use it as
motivation to communicate.
The student's success is dependent on the family's ability to foster communication
techniques that are used in the school environment in the home. Although students spend
6+ hours at school, the majority of their time is spent in the home. Therefore, there needs
to be open communication with the IEP team and the parents. Techniques used in the
classroom should be reinforced at home. For example, if a child does not receive what
they want in school without presenting an object card to the teacher, the same should be
done at home. Parents should ask that their child communicate their wants and needs in
order to get it. It is also important to remember that even though the nonverbal population
may be unable to express themselves the same as the verbal community, that it does not
mean that they do not understand. As educators, it is up to us to find outlets for these
children to communicate successfully and exploring body systems could be the best way
to do so.
References
Beukelman, D.R., Mirenda, P., & Beukelman, D.R. (2013). Augmentative and
alternative communication: Supporting children and adults with complex
communication needs. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Pub.
