Alternative Communication in residential house-boarding institutions: First Steps

During 2 years of the project "Realization of rights through communication", a team of experts and trainees in the means of AAC united, transformed the lives of children in Gorodishche residential  house- boarding institution.                                                                                  
A two-day seminar "Features of the implementation of alternative and additional communication (hereinafter referred to as AAC) in stationary social service institutions and the creation of a language environment for non-speech residents" was conducted.
The main objective of the seminar was to show that there are no uniform requirements and methods for creating a communicative environment, that the creation of a rich variable environment using all forms of communication interaction is the basis of working with those who  cannot speak.
Employees and specialists of different house-boarding institutions, of the Centers for Correctional Development Training and Rehabilitation in the Republic of Belarus, experts on using AAC means  got acquainted with new ways to communicate with non-speech children, which are used in  Gorodishche, they exchanged experience with colleagues, gained useful knowledge, got                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         links to methodological sources.
The participants in the practical trainings were able to feel the significant role of communication in people's lives, the need for which, Irina Kuksik, a special teacher of NGO "BelAPDiMI", a practicing ergotherapist, explained , using examples from the practice of working with children.
Experts of the project on the use and implementation of alternative communication Svetlana Pupa, defectologist, lecturer at the Academy of Postgraduate Education, Tatiana Sinitsa, psychologist, candidate of psychological sciences, plunged the participants of the seminar into the world of alternative communication. Based on successful examples, they  demonstrated the way to understand even the “most difficult” children.

Children with disabilities are a group of children whose mental development takes place in special conditions of perception of the surrounding reality. One of the means of creating an environment that helps children to enter into social contact is the use of alternative communication methods. Natalya Tkach, Master of  Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, tutor of the State Educational Institution School No. 2124 "Center for Correction and Development of Moscow" spoke about the experience of using means  of  AAC.
The seminar had a positive impact on the professional and motivational sphere of the participants. Understanding a speechless child with a disability has a positive effect on children and professionals. Children are changing, and it becomes easier for teachers and educators to work. Thanks to productive communication, it is possible to form a positive self-esteem in children, set goals and see personal development prospects. Everyone was inspired to actively use AAC.
For the widespread use and implementation of AAC in a house-boarding institution, participants need practical experience in working with non-speaking children, methodological and diagnostic materials, expert advice, training and a more in-depth study of the methods and experience of using AAC, collaboration with teachers-defectologists, organization of a common AAC exchange groups, resource methodological center.