What is a strategy to increase AAC device usage in educational settings?

Training teachers and teaching assistants on the benefits of AAC is a critical strategy for enhancing AAC device usage in educational settings. When educators understand how AAC devices can support communication for students with speech or language challenges, they become more adept at integrating these tools into daily classroom activities. This understanding fosters a positive attitude towards AAC, enabling teachers to create an inclusive environment where students feel more encouraged to use their devices.

Effective training equips educators with the knowledge and skills to implement AAC strategies in lessons, facilitating collaborative learning and engagement among all students. By recognizing the potential of AAC, teachers can adapt their instructional methods and daily routines to incorporate these devices seamlessly, thereby increasing their usage and promoting better communication outcomes for students who rely on them.

The other approaches, such as limiting AAC usage to recess, reducing peer interaction, or encouraging speech output without AAC, do not support the goal of increasing usage. Instead, they can hinder communication development and social interactions among students, which are essential for learning and growth.