Look what I’m Doing! Supporting Authentic Hands-on Experience and Learning in a Preschool Program for Children with Complex Communication Needs and Physical Impairment

This presentation describes our implementation of a research-based, communication-focused preschool curriculum that we have adapted for children with complex communication needs and physical disabilities. We share how we systematically support children’s growing use of assistive technologies for access and communication in the context of ongoing preschool activities such as dramatic play, story time, and music. Through the use of case examples, we describe how individualized accommodations and adult scaffolds are provided to promote authentic participation, maximize acquisition of functional communication skills, and promote generalization of newly mastered skills to natural, everyday contexts.