Aided language modeling
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Aided language modeling is when communication partners use the student's AAC system themselves while they talk, showing how to use it in real situations.
Topic: Assistive technology and AAC
In plain terms
Just as speaking children hear thousands of words before they talk, AAC users need to see their system used. Partners point to or select symbols while speaking, for example touching "you" and "turn" while saying "your turn." Modeling should not require the student to copy; it is input, not a test.
How it shows up in an IEP
Teams sometimes write modeling into the IEP as an adult support, with goals for partners as well as the student. Tracking how often staff model can explain why progress is slow or fast.
Example
During a shared book, the teacher touches "look," "big" and "funny" on the student's board while reading. Within a few weeks, the student begins commenting with "funny."
Related terms
- AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)AAC is any way of communicating that supplements or replaces speech, such as signs, picture boards or speech-generating devices.
- Core vocabularyCore vocabulary is the small set of words people use most often across situations, such as want, go, stop, more, help and not.
- Partner-assisted scanningPartner-assisted scanning is an AAC method where a partner names or points to choices one at a time and the student signals when the desired option is reached.
- AAC communicative competenceAAC communicative competence is the ability to communicate effectively with AAC, built from linguistic, operational, social and strategic skills.
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