I have focused a lot on engaging ways to support students learning but sometimes, too many supports can lead to a phenomenon called "learned helplessness". In chapter 12 of their book Assistive Technology in the Classroom (2012) Dell, Newton and Petroff suggest the following strategies on page 290: These authors note that this can occur after years of disempowerment. Providing students with a voice can give them power. Teachers have to help students become active participants in their environments.
- build a daily expectation of communication through specific activities such as choosing the activity during recess, picking a book to read, or identifying where to eat lunch.
- construct a brief daily report to parents that is communicated by the student
- allow natural consequences to occur and procvide avenues for repair
- provide choice making whenever possible that requires the student to use their augmentative communication system.
- provide powerful phrases on the device for a students to reject or protest something
A tool like Dynavox can give students a voice.
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