simple aac data sheet

Does anyone else struggle to take data with students using AAC devices? I feel like I do a really good job of taking specific data during speech therapy sessions, but then I have no idea how often the kids are using their devices during the rest of their school day. 

In a recent training, we discussed a research article that encouraged 200 opportunities for communication using a device a day (Check the article out here). At first, this seemed totally overwhelming to me. 200? In one day? But the more I thought about how many opportunities my students that are verbal communicators have for communication during their school day. It is way more than 200. This powerpoint while not complete, gives some good info on how to get 200 opportunities in a day. 

In the powerpoint, they suggest using a clicker to count the number of questions, comments, answers, etc. I am starting a bit simpler. I just want the teacher and/or instructional assistant to track how many times the device is being used during the school day. SO...I made a simple table that has 200 squares. The goal is to fill each square in the school day. 

At the top of the data sheet, instructions say: 

• Mark "M" if modeling an utterance on the device (you saying it on her device)
• Mark "I" if she says something on the device independently
• Mark "C" if you help her by cueing (point to a word, going into a category, etc.)

I tried to break it down into simpler language. Most of my special education teachers and assistants understand modeling, cueing, etc but it is still good to clarify. 

I printed the data sheet on bright paper, laminated, and put it on a book ring. It fit perfectly around the handle of her device. Then, I attached a wet erase marker with velcro to the back of the data sheet so that it is always available! Pro tip: wet erase markers stay on the lamination much better than dry erase markers :) 

I had the opportunity to follow one of my AAC students around to her general education and special education classes {thanks to my grad student for seeing kiddos independently while I did this}. The data sheet was very easy to incorporate. I think that it keeps teachers and aides accountable for using the device all day long and sets a really reachable goal. I think it is going to be great! I am excited to see the progress that our students make when they are consistently reaching the 200 goal. 

Head over to my TPT to download this data sheet for free 

Font and Background Credit:  Graphics from the Pond; Teaches Third in Georgia