HRCSD has created environmental communication boards for students, staff, parents, and community members to use while visiting district playgrounds. These communication boards can help students learn new vocabulary and allow all students to communicate their wants, needs, thoughts, and ideas.

¡Use este tablero de comunicación para ayudar a los estudiantes a aprender vocabulario nuevo y dar a todos los estudiantes la oportunidad de comunicar sus deseos, necesidades, pensamientos e ideas!

Point to the symbols while you talk. When a student points to a symbol or object, say the word's meaning out loud. Model one more word than a student uses. For example, if a student points to “ball,” you can say out loud, “You want the ball,” while pointing to the symbols “want + ball.” 

Señale los símbolos mientras habla. Cuando un estudiante señale un símbolo u objeto, diga el  significado de la palabra en voz alta. Modele una palabra más de lo que usa un estudiante. Por  ejemplo, si un estudiante apunta "pelota," puede decir en voz alta, "Quieres la pelota,"  mientras apunta los símbolos "quieren + pelota".

Have Fun! Let students explore, make choices, and communicate with adults and peers. Sometimes a  student may not respond. That’s okay - all forms of communication matter!

¡Divertanse! Deje que los estudiantes exploren, tomen decisiones y se comuniquen con adultos y  compañeros. A veces, un estudiante puede no responder. Está bien, ¡todas las formas de comunicación  son importantes!

Download a copy of the communication board to use on your device.

• Cascade Locks Elementary School
• May Street Elementary School
• Mid-Valley Elementary School
• Parkdale Elementary School
• Pine Grove Early Intervention
• Westside Elementary School
• Wy'East Middle School

This video demonstrates how to use the communication board.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Augmentative means to add to someone's speech. Alternative means to be used instead of verbal speech. AAC incorporates any support and/or alternative forms of verbal speech that we can use to communicate. AAC can include gestures/facial expressions, sign language, speech-generating devices, picture boards, communication books, written communication, and more! Learn more about AAC.