The Wonder of Communicative Participation

Children with complex communication needs (CCN) are a diverse group characterized by difficulties producing speech, understanding speech and language, and using reading and writing skills which result in limited engagement in everyday communicative interactions. They may use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies such as communication boards or electronic devices to communicate more efficiently. Meaningful participation for children with CCN is tied to positive influences on health and wellbeing. Because children’s museums promote learning through play, and play provides opportunities for learning language, this study explores how staff member at children’s museums and parents of children with CCN can be trained to use communication partner strategies to model language and support communication using communication boards. The photo illustrates how the efficient usage of a communication board can break down barriers to the wonder of play and community participation for children with CCN.