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AAC unit helps give students a voice

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Southern Local Elementary teacher Ashley Farnsworth demonstrates an Augmentative Assistive Communication (AAC) unit that is helping students in her multi-disability classroom find a voice. The unit uses pictures and a touchscreen application for non-verbal students to interact. Farnsworth said three devices were acquired in April and have proven to be beneficial. (Submitted photo)

SALINEVILLE - The addition of some new equipment in Ashley Farnsworth's multi-disabilities unit is giving students a voice at Southern Local Elementary School.

Farnsworth, who works with five pupils in grades K-4, received three Augmentative Assistive Communication (AAC) devices in April which helps students interact with the touch of a screen.

"It's for limited verbal and language skills," Farnsworth explained. "We have students who are nonverbal and use the TouchChat app. There are sections with pages that have teachers' and office staff's photos to identify them and a student page with pictures of the classmates."

Farnsworth said the device allows students to communicate, answer questions and even inform her of what they want to do.

"These have pictures with suggestions for movies and activities," she added. "Ultimately, the device follows them wherever they may go and gives them a voice."

She said the idea to acquire the units was spurred by discussion with occupational therapist Christina Dentz, who had a student using the app.

"I felt we could use it in class," Farnsworth continued. "We've been trying different versions with the kids over the last two years and asked [district Director of Special Services] Andrew Vulgamore in February if he could order them."

The school district acquired the devices and she thanked leaders during the regular school board meeting in May. Meanwhile, school speech therapist Kayla Bryan has been helping educators learn how to use the AAC's so they could be further implemented in class.

"[Bryant] gives suggestions on what to put on the pages," she added, likening it to learning a whole new language.

Farnsworth's class, which is also known as the Kindness Crew, includes two classroom aides and she anticipates the number of students to grow to seven during the 2025-26 school term. She noted that the devices are beneficial to those with limited verbal abilities and the units have yielded positive results.

"They do enjoy using them. We try to encourage them as tools, not toys, and it's been easier to learn on them."

Starting at /week.