Click on the expander tabs below the image to find unique AAC components (in red) and activities addressing key self-determination skills for students with complex communication needs.
Self-Determination Model
Adapted for Individuals with Complex Communication Needs
Know Yourself and Your Environment
Students learn to:
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- Dream
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- Know your strengths, weaknesses, needs and preferences
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- Know options, supports and expectations
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- Decide what is important to you
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- Build an awareness of your special collection ofu00a0AACu00a0tools
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- Learn about non-verbal communication and body language
Value Yourself
Students learn to:
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- Accept and value yourself
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- Use weaknesses to find strengths
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- Recognize and respect rights and responsibilities
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- Take care of yourself
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- Develop and nurture positive relationships
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- Learn how to advocate for what you want in youru00a0AACu00a0systems
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- Learn about the responsibilities for the care and maintenance of your communication systems
Plan
Students learn to:
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- Set Goals
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- Plan small steps to meet goals
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- Anticipate results
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- Be creative
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- Visually rehearse
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- Learn about using certain communication tools for certain purposes
Act
Students learn to:
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- Take risks
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- Communicate
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- Access resources and support
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- Negotiate
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- Deal with conflict and criticism
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- Communicate in different ways to achieve a goal, make a choice and have your opinion heard
Experience Outcomes and Learn
Students learn to:
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- Compare outcome to expected outcome
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- Compare performance to expected performance
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- Realize success
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- Make adjustments
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- Learn to self-advocate when things do not go as planned
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- Learn effective communication skills to maintain supports and social relationships
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- Monitor progress towards goals and adjust as needed
