Importance of support to use of augmentative communication systems at home and in the community

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

In school, students receive direct instruction and guidance in developing augmentative communication skills in school, they must practice and use their system at home and within the communities. It makes sense the more you use something the better you become at it. That is true for all people with all different things. If you practice basketball each day you will eventually become better and better at the sport. Same goes for the communication systems. The more you use it the better you’ll be. If you only use it in school you will not get as much practice from it then if you were to use it around the clock. 

Tips for Guiding Parents to Promote the Use of Augmentative Communication
Provide Direct Instruction on the Use of the System
Identify Vocabulary That is Relevant to the House
Teach Family Members to Provide Opportunities for Communication and to Wait
Provide Simple Data and Evaluation Sheets for Home and Community Use
Give Parents Permission to Expand the Child’s Communicaiton
Keep it Simple

Dell, A. G., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2012).Assistive technology in the classroom: Enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. (2nd ed. ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.