AAC Lunch Room Negotiation

Our student is ready to communicate what he wants to communicate, when he wants to communicate to whomever he wants to communicate in a natural environment. The interaction is occurring authentically, and communication is not the end goal of the activity. Communication has now simply become the tool that we use to interact within naturally occurring activities.
This video occurred during a typical lunchtime in the school cafeteria. You will note that I turn the sound off I bet you can figure out why! It was quite loud. This young man is using an DTA AAC Flipbook to negotiate for more juice. Unfortunately, they were all out! He had been told the sad fact but was not willing to take no for an answer. Like any typical elementary school student, he negotiated vigorously to get more juice. His teacher finally explains using his communication book.
Our student never did get that juice, but he knew that he had been heard. He knew that he communicated his message. He knew that his partners respected him and cared for him. And that’s what communication is all about!