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SPCD 582:

Teaching Students with Intensive

Communication Needs

Prof. Julia Scherba de Valenzuela

Today’s Topics:1. Introduction: Instructor’s vision,

expectations and classroom norms, assignments & grading criteria, and web site orientation

2. An overview of language, communication, and individuals with intensive communication needs

Julia:devalenz@unm.edu

Appointments available: • Tuesdays, 4:00-6:30 (Hokona Hall 254)• Fridays, 10:30-11:00 (HH 254)• Fridays, 5:00-6:30 (Satellite coffee shop).• Also some Fridays 4:00-4:30.o Please schedule appointments in

advance via e-mail.

Syllabus? Assignments?

• UNM Learn• Julia’s UNM website

There is an assignment due next week (reading reviews) – see syllabus and template online.

Accommodations

Need accommodations or instructional modifications?

Contact Accessibility Services ASAP: 277-3506, Mesa Vista Hall, Room 2021.

They will inform me what accommodations would be appropriate

and helpful.

Class AttendanceClass attendance is mandatory. Consistent with policy in the Concentration in Intellectual and Severe Disabilities: o Second absence: Five points (or half a letter

grade) will be deducted from your final grade. o Third absence: Ten points (or a full letter grade)

will be deducted from your final grade. o Fourth absence: You will be dropped from the

course, regardless of the reason. o Missing more than 50 minutes of any class

session will be considered an absence.

Late PapersDue on date listed on class schedule at start of class. Major assignments (not reading reviews) can be turned in up to one week late, with 1 point deduction per day. I will not accept assignments that are more than 1 week late, except for major emergencies or significant illness (doctor note required).

Re-Writes

Sorry. No do-overs.I encourage you to bring in questions, ideas, and drafts ahead of time to my office hours.

Academic HonestyThe syllabus contains a very explicit policy regarding academic honesty. All students are expected to read and follow this policy. Resources are available on the course website to help students learn to follow academic guidelines for citations.

Note: The Indiana University plagiarism tutorial assignment will help with this. You must turn this in no later than the 3rd week of class.

Class ParticipationI expect students to participate in the class in a manner that is non-disruptive. I will ask students whose behavior is disruptive to the learning environment or whose behavior is disturbing to other members of the class (students or instructors) to modify their behavior. If the student is unable to do so, I will drop him/her from the course.

Course Textbook????

UNM Learn

UNM Web Site Class outlines for class sessions. Links from each outline to the

overheads and handouts. Optional reading questions for

required readings. Links to relevant web sites. Copies of the syllabus and

assignment templates.

Web Address

http://www.unm.edu/~devalenz/

Communication: Any act by which one person gives to or receives from another person information about that person's needs, desires, perceptions, knowledge, or affective states. Communication may be intentional or unintentional, may involve conventional or unconventional signals, may take linguistic or nonlinguistic forms, and may occur through spoken or other modes. (National Joint Committee for the Communicative

Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities, 1992, p. 2)

“Language is a complex and dynamic system of

conventional symbols that is used in various modes for

thought and communication.”

(American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 1982)

“Language is a complex and dynamic system of

conventional symbols that is used in various modes for

thought and communication.”

(American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 1982)

“Contemporary views of human language hold that:• language evolves within specific historical,

social, and cultural contexts;• language, as rule-governed behavior, is

described by at least five parameters – phonologic, morphologic, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic;

• language learning and use are determined by the interaction of biological, cognitive, psychosocial, and environmental factors;

• effective use of language for communication requires a broad understanding of human interaction including such associated factors as nonverbal cues, motivation, and sociocultural roles.” (ASHA, 1982)

…language, as rule-governed behavior, is described by at least five

parameters – phonologic, morphologic, syntactic, semantic, and

pragmatic…

Intensive Communication Needs?Individuals with extensive or pervasive support needs in the area of communication and/or language.

Examples might include some individuals with:• Intellectual disabilities• Developmental delays• Autism spectrum disorders

Main Points:1. Language and communication are

related concepts, but they are not the same. All individuals communicate. However, not all can be said to have developed language (yet).

2. The definitions of language and communication have very specific components. We will “unpack” these components as the semester progresses.

Main Points, cont.:3. Many individuals with severe

disabilities also have intensive communication needs.

4. Many behavioral “problems” have a basis in communication difficulties.

5. Facilitating an individual’s ability to communicate more effectively is one of the most important interventions to promote meaningful participation in their family and community.

Looking ahead…

What is communication? What is language?

• .

Please take a minute for the minute paper.