Conveying a Clear Message | Literacy Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

In this self-contained high school classroom, a teacher supports her student in being persistent in her communication attempt. They use both the student’s verbal abilities and her augmentative communication system to try and convey a clear message. Importantly, the student is clear in saying “no“ when the teacher’s efforts to help do not result in the desired message. The video demonstrates effective strategies for engaging students with disabilities in literacy instruction. This video is part of a collection by the Iowa Department of Education featuring strategies for comprehensive literacy instruction for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The purpose of the collection is to support educators and families in understanding how all students can learn and make progress in Common Core English Language Arts standards. Additional project information and supporting resources can be found at