Interactive Shared Reading Case Study of a Student with Complex Support Needs

Shared reading approaches with school-aged students who have complex support needs (CSN) and complex communication needs (CCN) typically focus on increasing the rate and accuracy of student responses to adult prompts and questions. This descriptive mixed method case study focused on the implementation of a shared reading approach designed to increase the engagement and expressive communication of a student with CSN and CCN. Increases in the teacher’s use of interactive strategies and demonstration of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) occurred concurrently with increases in student engagement, initiations, and expressive symbolic communication. Implications for teacher practice and teacher preparation programs are discussed.