IEP and AT 3: Voice Output Device

Here’s an IEP and goal for a student named Mary:

Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance: Mary currently communicates with sounds that are not always understood by those around her.  She often becomes upset when she is not understood.  She likes people and likes to be around both adults and children. She is beginning to play simple games. 

Annual Goal: Mary will communicate her interests and needs in three or more environments situations using a single message voice output device.

A voice output device supplements a students speech.  In this case, Mary has very limited speech and communicates with sounds that are not always understood by others.  As any person would, she becomes upset when she is not understood.  To remedy that situation, her IEP states that she will use a voice output device.  Below is a picture of a communication board.

This board could be set up with pictures and words/phrases that are appropriate for Mary and the environments she will be in. (For more information see my “Voice Output Communication Device” post). With more experience Mary could possibly progress to a more sophisticated voice output device which could allow her to communicate longer, more complex thoughts.

Reference: IEPs written by the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative and CITE