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Words:  Mick  Mum  English  Teachers Databases:  LAM & PeRT  Progress Monitor  LLL Flashcards

note: some of the colours are wrong 'cos we didn't really know all the word types

Michael worked really enthusiastically, practicing his words several times each night and again before school each morning. We learned how to use Microsoft Paint between us and used it to make picture reference pages for each lesson. Most of the words had to be programmed in to (his then) Delta Talker because they weren't common enough to rank in the 3,500 core words already in the machine by default.

This was the first warning sign that we were taking the wrong approach to teaching Michael how to use his Delta Talker to communicate, as its default memory contains all the words necessary to meet 80-90% of a persons daily communication needs (and more than that). top

Everyone seemed to realise that this was not working and simply stopped providing us with any vocabulary in subsequent years, despite frequent requests about what was Michael studying and which vocabulary could he use in each lesson.

Year 8, 2002/3 vocab:

'Hanuka' 'Menora' and 'Festival of Light'

were the only words given us by any of Michael's teachers from September to March of year 8.

Michael's French/PSHCE teacher invited Mum to sit in some lessons in the spring term, and Mum programmed in the French words for rooms in the house and body parts, and some phrases for PSHCE. Other teachers were interested in how they might incorporate use of Michael's talker in their lessons, and Mum offered to go into school for whole days or weeks to help out. the Head said she'd consult staff and get back to Mum... top

year 9 vocabulary:

' '

That's right. No words at all for year 9.

 

In year 10 Michael's Math teacher gave us a few hunded words that are the Math core vocabulary, but never used his communication aid with him.

 

In year 11 Michael was given a few words for Science that did enable him to get top marks in his Level One Science exam.

 

Apart from the words on this page the only other words used at school were from his English teacher for reading scheme books, answering questions on them, and the occassional speech or play, and he made continual and 'briliant' progress with his Pathfinder in this subject.