Why is it important to support the use of augmentative communication systems at home and in the community?

In my last post, I spoke about how to integrate augmentative communication into IEP’s. It is also important to consider how it will be used outside of school, at home and in the community. Students learn to use these devices at school, but it is important to transfer the skills they have acquired to a wide variety of situations away from the classroom. It is necessary for the teacher and school to help this take place. When the teacher and school serve as a liaison, it helps family members understand the significance that this technology will play in the student’s development. It also makes everyone more at ease with the use of the device.