Online Learning Opportunity
Oregon Health & Science University presents
Pre-symbolic Communication (non-credit)
Developed by Charity Rowland, Ph.D. and Philip Schweigert, M.Ed.
Course Description
This course addresses the use of pre-symbolic means of communication by individuals who are not able to use symbols to communicate. The course is based on our work with many individuals of all ages who experience a wide range of disabilities. Our research (funded by the U.S. Department of Education) and clinical experience with communication intervention began in 1984. The material presented in this course represents a blend of practical information related to communication intervention and research data.
Purpose
This course focuses on children with severe disabilities who are not yet ready to use symbolic (language)
systems to communicate. The course describes instructional strategies for teaching children to use
pre-symbolic behaviors such as body movements, facial expressions, gestures, nonspeech vocalizations
and simple switches to communicate. The emphasis is on the earliest stages of communication. The instructional strategies presented are also applicable to adults.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to provide complete information about pre-symbolic communication, including research about the development of pre-symbolic communication and strategies for teaching an individual to communicate pre-symbolically. Students who complete this course should be able to:
- Assess an individual's communication skills to determine where communication instruction should begin.
- Design initial instructional programs
- Collect data to document performance
- Understand the variables that may be altered in an instructional program to accommodate the individual's successes or difficulties
Course Outline
The course includes the following seven units:
Unit 1: Historical Changes in our Approach to Communication Development
Unit 2: How Communication Skills Develop
Unit 3: Assessment Strategies
Unit 4: Instructional Strategies
Unit 5: Using Mechanical Devices for Communication
Unit 6: Planning and Monitoring Instruction
Unit 7: Receptive Communication
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Required Texts
First Things First (Rowland & Schweigert, 2004): to be mailed to students, cost included in registration fee)
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Cost
$165.00 (includes cost of course materials and postage)
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System Requirements for Windows®
- 266 MHz or greater Pentium processor or equivalent
- 128 MB RAM
- 16-bit sound card with speakers
- Video card able to display at least 65,000 colors
- Internet connection at 56 kbs or better
- Windows 98, 2000, XP, NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later
- CD-Rom drive
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System Requirements for Macintosh®
- 266 MHz or better)
- 128 MB RAM
- 64 MB virtual memory
- Internet connection at 56 kbs or better
- Mac OS 9.1 or later
- CD-Rom drive
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Internet access
Internet access: minimum bandwidth equal to 56K modem.
Supported Browsers:
Microsoft Internet Explorer® 5.1 or later
Netscape Navigator® 4.77 or later
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Browser Plug-ins
Quicktime®
Adobe Acrobat Reader®
Flash®
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Questions? Please e-mail us at tangible@ohsu.edu or telephone Carolyn Mills at 503-494-2291 or Toll free 1-888-909-4030. You may also fax us (attention Carolyn Mills) at 503-494-2859 or send mail to:
Carolyn Mills
OHSU Design To Learn Projects
707 SW Gaines Road.
Portland, OR 97239
Registration and Payment
You may print and mail or fax a registration form with check or credit card information, OR you may go to our secure online registration for instant credit card payment.
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