Personal Communication Dictionary

For students with complex communication needs it is important that their communication partners recognize and understand their communication attempts. A personal communication dictionary documents student-specific actions and their meanings.  This can help others who work with the student, and any new communication partners, understand what the student is trying to communicate and plan consistent responses.

To create a personal communication dictionary, people who know the student well will observe and describe behaviors in multiple settings, determine what the student is trying to communicate, and agree upon a consistent staff response.

Personal communication dictionaries should be reviewed and revised regularly, based on data, as an individual’s communication behaviors can change.

This document aligns with the Rubric of Effective Practices for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities Quality Indicator V: Social Communication and was designed to accompany the Connecting Communication and Instruction for Students with Complex Access Needs training.