Chapter 9: Component 6 - Monitoring and Evaluation of Progress in AAC

9.1. Introduction: why evaluate?

In any educational process, evaluation plays an essential role. It not only makes it possible to measure the progress made, but also to adjust practices according to the child's real needs.

In the context of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), this dimension is particularly important. Indeed, progress is not always immediately visible and requires careful and structured observation.

The survey conducted as part of the AAC-Inclusion project showed that:

●        Teachers and parents often lack simple tools to track progress

This component of the toolkit therefore aims to meet this need by offering accessible and directly usable evaluation methods.

9.2. Objectives of AAC monitoring

Monitoring progress in AAC makes it possible to:

Observing developments

●        Increased interactions

●        Improved understanding

Adjust tools

●        simplify or enrich the materials

●        adjust strategies

Boost motivation

●        Valuing progress

●        Encourage the child

Foster coordination

●        Sharing observations between school and family

9.3. Principles of effective evaluation

Simplicity

The assessment must be: easy to implement

Regularity

Observe: Continuously

Objectivity

Based on: observable facts

Share

The results must be: communicated between the actors

9.4. Key indicators of progress

To assess progress, several indicators can be used.

1. Frequency of Communications

●        Number of applications

●        Number of interactions

2. Level of autonomy

●        with help

●        with guidance

●        alone

3. Type of communication

●        Reaction

●        Answer

●        initiative

4. Reduced frustration

●        Less crying

●        Fewer problematic behaviors

5. Understanding

●        Response to instructions

●        Appropriate use of cards

9.5. Proposed monitoring tools

The AAC-Inclusion toolkit offers simple and practical tools.

1. Daily observation grid

Allows you to note:

●        Situations

●        Reactions

●        Progress

Example

2. Weekly Progress Board

Allows you to track progress over several days.

3. Individual tracking sheet

Includes:

●        Profile of the child

●        Objectives

●        observations

9.6. Guide to using the monitoring tools

Step 1: Observe

Note: what the child does

Step 2: Save

Use a simple grid.

Step 3: Analyze

Identifier :

●        Progress

●        Difficulties

Step 4: Adapt

Edit:

●        Tools

●        Strategies

Step 5: Share

Contact:

●        Teachers

●        parents

9.7. Concrete example (home follow-up)

Situation

A child uses the cards at home.

Observation

Week 1:

●        Used with assistance

Week 2:

●        starts pointing alone

Week 3:

●        initiates communication

Conclusion

Significant Progression

9.8. Concrete example (classroom follow-up)

Situation

Use of a communication board.

Observation

●        Start: No participation

●        after 2 weeks: answers

●        After 1 month: Initiatives

Result

●        Better participation

●        Increased engagement

9.9. Link to Standardized Tools

The use of pictograms from ARASAAC also facilitates the evaluation:

●        Consistency of media

●        Comparability of observations

●        Coordinate System Stability

9.10. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Evaluation too complex

●       Abandon

Lack of consistency

●       Information source

Subjective judgments

●       Biais

No sharing

●       Consistency

9.11. Importance of valuing progress

Even small advances should be valued:

●       Point to a map

●       Look at a pictogram

This makes it possible to:

●        Build trust

●        Encourage the child

9.12. Conclusion

Monitoring and evaluation are essential components of the AAC-Inclusion toolkit.

They make it possible to:

●        Measure the effectiveness of the tools

●        Adapting practices

●        Strengthen collaboration

They help to make the process structured, measurable and scalable, which is particularly important in the context of an Erasmus+ project.