Students with communication disorders face a number of challenges in the classroom. These students suffer from a range of difficulties in hearing, speaking, and language processing, manifesting in a variety of ways, from stuttering to blindness. Teachers who work with these students have a unique opportunity to help them overcome obstacles and achieve success. Here are some key ways to support these students.

Exercise Patience

Most teachers will tell you that their students try their patience at times, but it’s particularly important to be tolerant with students who have communication disorders. Some suggestions for demonstrating patience include the following:

• Anticipate the difficulties students will face and try to provide supports before they need them
• Give students adequate time to put their thoughts into words
• Avoid interrupting or finishing students’ sentences
• Maintain eye contact and provide supportive, nonverbal feedback

Be a Good Model

Demonstrate to students that clear communication is beneficial and that communication skills should be prioritized. Here are some tips for modeling good communication:

• Always speak slowly and distinctly
• Encourage students to speak clearly 
• Prompt students to use complete sentences in spoken and written communication
• Use facial expressions and body language to supplement verbal communication
• Use more than one form of communication for all students (for example, include both written and verbal instructions.)

Utilize Technology

Modern technology offers a variety of digital assistance for students with communication challenges. Here are some examples:

• Assistive listening devices can improve transmission of sound for those with hearing problems. Some are designed for classroom or large spaces and others are for personal use or small group conversations.
• Augmentative and alternative communication devices for use in the classroom include keyboards or touch screens. Some use word prediction software or speech-generating technology.
• iPads and other tablets are used extensively in classrooms and therapy for students with communication disorders to engage them with video, animation, sound, and color.
• Cell phones or other devices can be used to record lectures.

Build Confidence

Many students who experience difficulty in communicating also have low self-esteem due to years of academic struggle and possibly even issues with bullying. These students can resort to behavior problems when they believe they’ve been treated unfairly, and they tend to feel disconnected in the classroom. Methods of helping students to build confidence include the following:

• Talk with the student in advance and provide accommodations before they are needed
• Encourage an atmosphere of acceptance in the classroom.
• Give students with communication issues the chance to speak up in class.
• Provide positive reinforcement when the student demonstrates accomplishments
• Design appropriate assessments that work with the student’s disability
• Offer opportunities for the student to ask questions and receive assistance.

While students with communication disorders present an instructional challenge, they also present a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child.

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