Total Communication Approach

At Allenvale School we use a total communication approach to enable our students to:

• express wants and needs
• make friends
• be included
• make choices
• achieve independence
• learn
• express feelings
• feel less frustrated
• understand others

Total communication may include using a combination of:

• vocalisations / speech
• facial expressions
• gesture / makaton / sign language
• symbols / visuals
• communication books
• low and high tech communication devices

We assess students and advise and support families/whanau, teaching staff and support staff with:
– developing students’ understanding of language
– how to use the above modes of communication
– how to provide communication opportunities throughout the day
Speech Language Therapists also assess and advise on safe eating and drinking in the school setting.